1 John Trotwood Moore and Austin P. Foster, Tennessee, The Volunteer State, Vol 1 - Biographies of professional individuals residing in Tennessee from 1769-1923 (Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1923), p. 853. FRANKLIN COUNTY. Franklin County was erected on December 3, 1807, from Warren and Bedford counties and was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin. The county seat was named Winchester for Gen. James Winchester. The site of Winchester was purchased from Christopher for $1. No courts, however, were held in Winchester until 1814. The first County Court was held at the home of Maj. Wm. Russell in 1808.
According to tradition the earliest settlers were: Maj. Wm. Russell, and Jesse Bean, both of whom arrived about 1800.
.

2 Pittsylvania Co., Virginia, 1767 Tax List (http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/pittsylvania/census/tith.txt, https://sites.rootsweb.com/~vapittsy/tith.htm). FIRST LIST OF TITHABLES OF PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VIRGINIA
YEAR 1767
The History of Pittsylvania County

A list of Tithables taken by Peter Copland, Gent.
[Peter Copland associated with the Semmes', Meredith's & the Murphy's in Henry Co., VA between 1777-1802]

James Merrydeth 1
Barclay Merrydeth 1 (Bradley?)
William Merrydeth, Constable, 1

3 The Gospel Messenger (No. 1 Butler, Georgia
January 1886 Vol. 8). I was born in Franklin County, Tennessee Dec. 25th 1821. My parents were Solomon and Dicy Russell Wagner – the later a daughter of Major Russell, who accompanied Jackson in his campaigns against the Indians. Elder James Wagner moved to Blanco County, Texas.

4 Prepared by Tom Kanon, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Regimental Histories of Tennessee Units during the War of 1812 (Tennessee State Library and Archives
Historical and Genealogical Information
http://www.state.tn.us/sos/statelib/pubsvs/1812reg.htm), MAJOR WILLIAM RUSSELL

DESIGNATION: Separate Battalion of Volunteer Mounted Gunmen
DATES: September 1814 - March 1815
MEN MOSTLY FROM: Franklin, Bedford, Blount, Madison (Ala.), Rutherford, Warren, and Wilson Counties
CAPTAINS: William Chism, John Cowan, Fleman Hodges, George Mitchie, William Russell, John Trimble, Isaac Williams

BRIEF HISTORY:
Along with a battalion commanded by Major Chiles, this unit served in the Pensacola/Mobile region and was a part of Major Uriah Blue's expedition that roamed along the Escambia River in Florida in search of renegade Creeks toward the end of the war. Approximately 500 men served in this battalion, one of whom was David Crockett, a sergeant in Capt. John Conway's company.

From Fayetteville, where the battalion was mustered in, they traveled to Fort Stephens (crossing the Tennessee River at Muscle Shoals); leaving their horses behind, the battalion marched to Pensacola (via Fort Montgomery) where they participated in the battle of 7 November 1814; and returned to Fort Montgomery. At Fort Montgomery they were put under the command of Major Uriah Blue.
.

5 Musters of Major William Russell War of 1812. Musters of Major William Russell War of 1812
Major William Russell
1. 4th Sgt. George Russell
2. 2nd Sgt. John Y. Russell
Major William Russell
Captain William Russell
1. Sgt. Isham Russell SR. [died 1819 Copiah County Mississippi]
2. Pvt. Isom Russell JR.
3. Pvt. John Russell
4. Pvt. Lewis Russell [Lewis transfer from Captains John Trimble's Company]
5. Sgt. William Russell
Major William Russell
Captain John Cowan
1. Pvt. Edmond Russell
Major William Russell
Captain George Mitchie
1. PVT. George Russell
2. PVT. James Russell
Major William Russell
Private Servants
1. Edmond Russell
2. York Russell
Captains that served under Major William Russell
1. Captain William Chism
3. Captain John Cowan
4. Captain Fleman Hodges
5. Captain George Mitchie
6. Captain William Russell Jr.
7. Captain John Trimble
8. Captain Isaac Williams
. Copied from Richard Wagner. Original source unknown.

6 Andrew Jackson's Papers, Reel #65 Series #5 1781 JA - 1813 DEC. 14 Library of Congress. Captain William Russell
Muster Roll of Spies
1. Hugh Robertson
2. John Bell
3. William Russell
4. James Patton
5. James Chisum
6. John Chisum
7. Absolom Robertson
8. John Lee
9. Major Parson
10. Thomas Bayless
11. James Gibson
12. Benjamin Williams
13. John Trice
Muster Roll of Company of Spies 4 October 1813
Captain William Russell
1. Lt. John Bell
2. Ensign Hugh Robertson
3. Sgt. John Lee
4. Absolom Russell [wounded Nov. 9,1813 died 23 Nov 1813
5. Elias Bayless
6. John Chisum
7. James Chisum
8. John _?__ [Russell]
9. Bennet T. Phillips
10. John Bone
11. Major Parsons
12. __________
13. James Patton [wounded Nov, 9,1813 died 23 Nov 1813 Davy Crockett married his widow]
14. Benjamin Williams
15. James Willson
16. Joseph Hutten
17. William Moon
18. William Carver
19. Labon Rice
I hereby certify upon honor that the foregoing muster roll is correct.
Sign William X Russell

Good to the _____________for one days Rations of Meat, Meal, Salt, & Wiskey for Twenty men this 22 Oct. 1813. William Russell, Captain of Spies.
. Copied from Richard Wagner.

7 Davy Crockett, Legends of the West (1834, Konecky & Konecky, 150 Fifth Ave. New York, New York 10011, ISBN 1-56852-243-6), Chapters 5, 6, 7. Davy Crockett refers to Old Major William Russell before General Andrew Jackson promoted him "Captain William Russell" to Major; Crockett also reference to Pvt. George Russell and Captain William Russell as the sons of Old Major Russell.
.

8 Gary H. Wiles B.A. J.D., Delores M. Brown, Trails of the White Savages (Photosensitive
P.O. Box 7408
Leguna Neguel. Ca. 92607
1st print 1998
ISBN # 1-889252-03-4
LCC card # 97-76332). Book on Davy Crockett that mentions the Russell's

9 Virginia M. and J.R. Brock, Cowan Bell Special Bicentennial Issue, May 24 1975 (201 Vanderbilt Drive, P.O. Box 128, Cowan, Tennessee 37318). Page 8. President Andrew Jackson Letter to Captain William Russell of Crawford County Arkansas dated 8th July 1844

There have been several transcriptions of this letter some states his brother referring to Major William Russell and the others state your brother referring the Captain William Russell the letter was addressed to.

10 History of Franklin County. The settlement of the territory now composing Franklin County began with the beginning of the present century, when all was a vast wilderness, inhabited only by Indians and wild animals. It was a hazardous undertaking to come here in that day and open up a new country west of the mountains where the light of civilization had never shone, and where neither schools, churches, mills, factories, nor any conveniences existed, such as the pioneers had been accustomed to. None but brave and courageous men and women could ever have accomplished such a dangerous and hazardous undertaking. The early settlers came mostly from Virginia and the Carolinas, and some from Kentucky and Georgia. It may be truthfully said that with the exception of those who have settled since the war the inhabitants of the county are nearly all descendants from the best families of " Old Virginia" and the Carolinas. It is claimed that Maj. William Russell, who settled on the Boiling Fork, near Cowan, and Jesse Bean, who settled on Bean Creek, both about the year 1800, were the first two settlers in the county. This is quite probable, as these two families are prominently mentioned elsewhere in the organization of the county, the first court being held at Maj. Russell's house, and Mr. Bean being one of the commissioners to locate the county seat. Bean Creek took its name from the Beans who settled thereon.

...

The following is a condensed list of a few early grants, entries and purchases; July, 1796, State of North Carolina to Thomas Dillon, an assignee of the Blounts, 5,000 acres on Elk River, including Fendleton's Spring, and a large camp made by Major Ore & Co., on their way to Nickajack; March 5, 1805, Thomas Dillon to E. Thursby, for $4,500, 18,000 acres on Elk River; April, 1807, Henry M. Rutledge to Wm. P. Anderson and John Strother a large tract on Elk River and on both sides of Logan Creek; in 1808, State of Tennessee to John Maclin and John Overton 4,935 acres, and to Nicholas Tramel 840 acres, both on Elk River; and to Solomon Wagoner, Wm. Russell, Absalom Russell and John Cowan each 200 acres on the Boiling Fork, and to James Cunningham and Robert Bean each 200 acres on Bean Creek; to James Metcalf 200 acres on Metcalf Creek, and to Wm. Metcalf 200 acres on Elk River; in 1809, State to James Patton and Andrew Erwin 1,000 acres, to Andrew Jackson 640 acres, and to John Winford 640 acres, all on Elk River.

...

The county of Franklin was created by an act of the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, passed December 3, 1807. The act provided " that there be a new county established within the following bounds, to wit: Beginning on the southeast corner of Warren County; thence with the south boundary line of Warren County to the eastern line of Bedford County; thence with said line to the southern boundary line of the State; thence east with the State line to the southwest corner of Bledsoe County; thence northwardly to the beginning; which said bounds shall constitute a new and distinct county to be known by the name of Franklin."
The act also provided that the courts should be held at the home of Maj. William Russell, near Cowan, until otherwise provided by law; and that the general musters and courts-martial should be held at the same place, or place of holding courts. By a subsequent act, passed November 14, 1809, creating the county of Lincoln, all the territory east of Lincoln, south of Bedford and north of the State line, was attached to and made a part of Franklin County. And by later acts of the General Assembly creating Moore, Coffee, Grundy and Marion Counties, Franklin has been reduced to its present limits. Before the organization of Franklin County a portion of its territory lay in what was then called White County, and in many of the original conveyances the lands were described as being in White County. The early records of the county court, or court of quarter sessions, were lost or destroyed during the late civil war, and consequently no account of the first election of magistrates and county officers can now be given. It is certain, however, that such election was held in the year 1808, and the first county court organized at the home of Maj. William Russell, as provided by the act of creation.
An act of the General Assembly, passed November 22, 1809, provided for the holding of an election "at the place of holding courts on the first Thursday and Friday of February, 1810, for the purpose of electing seven fit and proper persons as commissioners to fix on and establish a permanent seat of justice in and for the said county of Franklin," with power to fix on a place for the seat of justice, and to purchase a tract of land "not less than forty acres;" to lay off into lots, streets and alleys, and to reserve in the most convenient place two acres for a public square, on which to erect the public buildings; to sell the lots at public sale, and make deeds of conveyance to purchasers; "to let out, the building of the court house, prison and stocks, and to appropriate the money arising from the sale of lots in payment for the same."
And the act further provided that the town so laid off should be called and known by the name of Winchester, and should be the place of holding courts for the county of Franklin, as soon as the improvements would authorize an adjournment thereto. This election was accordingly held, and George Taylor, Jesse Bean, Samuel Norwood, James Dougan, John Cowan, John Bell and George Davidson were duly elected as such commissioners. In compliance with the foregoing, it is evident that the commissioners selected the site for the seat of justice, and caused the town to be surveyed and platted, but owing to reasons already given, neither the original plat nor the record thereof, nor the record of the sales of lots can now be found.
The, register's office shows that on the 10th day of February, 1812, the said commissioners purchased of Christopher Bullard, for a consideration of $1 twenty-six acres of land, upon which the town was located; and that they afterward sold the town lots and made deeds of conveyance to the purchasers. And it is to be presumed that they performed all the duties incumbent upon them pertaining to the erection of the public buildings, etc., the details of which can not be given in full on account of the loss of early records. The first court house and jail were erected soon after the foregoing purchase. The former was a small brick structure on the site of the present court house. The latter was erected on a lot at the west end of College Street, and in 1813, very soon after its completion, it was consumed by fire. On the 8th of November, the General Assembly passed an act authorizing the drawing of a lottery for the purpose of rebuilding the public prison in county of Franklin, and for other purposes; and Wallis Estill, William Russell, Sr., Col. James Lewis, Christopher Bullard, James S. M. Wherter and Thomas Eastland were by said act appointed commissioners to superintend the lottery, and upon the receipt of the proceeds thereof, to proceed to rebuild the public prison in said town, erect stocks, and finish the work of the court house therein, by the appropriation of said moneys thereto. From the foregoing it is evident that the first court house was finished in about 1814. It was small and inconvenient, having no room sufficient for holding the sessions of the courts. However it was used until the year 1839, when it was torn down and the present court house erected in its stead. The contract for the brick work was let to Elisha Meridith, and that of the woodwork to Reeves & Oehmig. The building cost about $10,000. It is a substantial brick structure of medium size, with county offices on the first floor, and the court room on the second.

...

The county court clerks were Absalom Russell. 1808-13; Edmund Russell, 1813-34; W. B. Wagoner, 1834-36; W. W. Brazelton, 1836-40; Isaac Estill, 1840-44; Sherwood Williams, 1844-48; Wm. E. Taylor, 1848-58; R. F. Sims, 1858-60; John G. Enochs, 1860-64; Thos. Short, 1864-68; John G. Enochs, 1866-71; Clem Arledge, 1871-82; Wm. E. Taylor, 1882-86. The registers were: John Keeton, 1808-26; Solomon Wagoner, 1826-36; Jesse T. Wallace, 1836-44: James L. Williams, 1844-48; Jesse T. Wallace, 1848-52; W. D. McNeil, 1852-56; Adam Hancock, 1856-60; M. G. Osborn, 1860-64 (war interval.) Wm. Stewart, 1865-66; D. R. Slatter, 1866-69; J. J. Martin, 1869-74; N. R. Martin, 1874-78; J. B. Ashley, 1878-86. The chancery court clerks and masters were: John Goodwin, 1834-38; Hu Francis, 1838-58 H. R. Estill, 1858-71; T. H. Finch, 1871-85; CIem Arledge, present incumbent, 1883 to--

...

The first term of the county court** was held in the spring of 1808 at the house of Maj. William Russell, near Cowan, where the county business was transacted until the seat of justice was established at Winchester, and a place provided for holding the courts. The courts were first held at Winchester about the year 1814, when the first court house was completed. An act of the General Assembly passed October 16, 1812, provided " that the county courts should be held in the county of Franklin on the third Mondays in February, May, August and November;" and the sessions were accordingly held on those dates until a subsequent act provided that the county courts in each and every county in the State should be held " on the first Monday in every month."

**This was orriginally called the " Court of Quarterly Sessions. "

...

Many of the early settlers of this county were survivors of the war of the Revolution; and when the war of 1812 broke out between this country and Great Britain, the young men of Franklin County, sons of the veterans of 1776, formed themselves into "ranks of war, " under the heroic Jackson, and others, to maintain the flag of the young republic. In evidence of the foregoing the following from the Home Journal of. September 30, 1880, is inserted: " In the Home Journal, office we have the manuscript of what we print. It is yellow with dust, age and decay. The paper is just such as could be had in those days. This document was found among the papers of our grandfather, Wallis Estill, who has left quite a family of descendants in this county. It appears that the county had been drained of young men, and the old men -- those over forty-five--formed themselves into a company to protect the honor of the United States against any disaffected persons, and against those who might do injury to the property of the younger men who had to go to battle. In the list of names will be found many familiar here in Franklin County Read it and see how nobly ministers of the gospel entered in behalf of liberty:
"WHEREAS, The honor of the United States has made it necessary that war should be declared against Great Britain by the United States; and whereas, in this contest it may evidently happen that the active part of our force may be called off to distant service, by which an opportunity will be afforded to the disaffected (if any such there should be amongst us), to do much mischief: Therefore, for the purpose of defending the frontiers and property of our younger brethren when flghting our battles abroad, and to suppress and put down any combination which may manifest itself inimicable to our beloved country we, the undersigned, all over forty-five years of age, and most of whom fought in the late Revolutionary war. have embodied ourselves into a company, to be denominated the Revolutionary Volunteers of Franklin County; and when the company is formed, officers to command the same shall be elected by the suffrages of the members of the company. Captain, Wallis Estill; first lieutenant, Richard Farris; second lieutenant, John Woods; ensign , James Russey; sergeants, A. Berryhill, Alex Beard, James Holland, Jacob Casterline; adjutant, James Lewis, Rev. John Davis, Rev. Wm. Ginnings, Jesse Embry, Jesse Bedu, John Champion, Samuel Henderson, Jos. Champion, John Chilcoat, Ralph Crabb, Jesse Toulan, Francis Adams, John Poe, Wm. Thompson, George Waggoner, Benj. Johnson, Samuel Rosebary, Archibald Woods. Rev. Andrew Woods, Rev. Peter Woods Rev. Robert Bell, David Milligan, Elijah Williams, Ebenezer Picket, Moses Ayers, John Denson, Joseph McClusky, James Weeks, Alex. Borehill, Nicholas Robinson, James Busby, Thomas Green, Samuel Reynolds, Jesse Perkins, James Holland, John Robinson, William King, Samuel Runnells, William Crawford, James King, Richard Miller, John Barnett, David Larkins, William McCloud, Samuel Handley, Jacob Van Zant, Sr., James Harris, Robert Hudspeth, Jesse Ginn, Thomas Herlep, John Cowan, William Russell, Sr., Daniel Champion, William Faris, John Herrod, John Nellum, John Dellehide, William Greenwood, John Stokes, David McCord, Charles Weeks, Randolph Riddle, Matthew Taylor."
These noble men were among those who first secured, and afterward maintained. our liberties, and Time, the great leveler, has long since closed the green earth over all that was mortal of every one of them. Many of the citizens of this county served under Jackson in the Florida war, and. according to tradition, Jackson encamped with his troops just below Winchester, on one occasion, while the Indians were encamped on the opposite side of the Boiling Fork. In the brief but brilliant war with Mexico it is learned that Franklin County furnished Capt. George T. Colyar's Company E. of the Third Regiment Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Col. B. F. Cheatham. This company, consisting of 116 men, rank and file, left Winchester in September, 1847, and was mustered into the United States service near Nashville about October 10,1847, and left for Mexico in the same month

. Sections pertaining to Russell's

From Richard Wagner: The first Court and muster was held at the home of Major William Russell on the Boling Fork of the Elk River in 1808 near the present day site of Cowan, Franklin County Tennessee. VISIT the City Park

11 Frankiln County, TN - Military - 1812 Home Guards. FRANKLIN COUNTY, TN - MILITARY - 1812 Home Guards ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Donna Cooper [email protected] ==================================================================== Contributor's Note: In the absence of original records, printed sources are used. In the case of this printed document, it was first printed in a Franklin Co., TN., newspaper article in the later part of 1800, so at that time the original records had already disappeared or were lost in fire. The following list is most important and it is most important that it be keep just as it is printed, because it is now considered original source material. This list has been printed and reprinted from time to time but in most cases some of the names were changed or left off. This listing is just as it was printed in 1888. "WHEREAS, The honor of the United States has made it necessary that war should be declared against Great Britain by the United States; and whereas, in this contest it may evidently happen that the active part of our force may be called off to distant service, by which an opportunity will be afforded to the disaffected (if any such there should be amongst us), to do much mischief: Therefore, for the purpose of defending the frontiers and property of our younger brethren when flghting our battles abroad, and to suppress and put down any combination which may manifest itself inimicable to our beloved country we, the undersigned, all over forty-five years of age, and most of whom fought in the late Revolutionary war. have embodied ourselves into a company, to be denominated the Revolutionary Volunteers of Franklin County; and when the company is formed, officers to command the same shall be elected by the suffrages of the members of the company. Captain, Wallis Estill; first lieutenant, Richard Farris; second lieutenant, John Woods; ensign , James Russey; sergeants, A. Berryhill, Alex Beard, James Holland, Jacob Casterline; adjutant, James Lewis, Rev. John Davis, Rev. Wm. Ginnings, Jesse Embry, Jesse Bedu, John Champion, Samuel Henderson, Jos. Champion, John Chilcoat, Ralph Crabb, Jesse Toulan, Francis Adams, John Poe, Wm. Thompson, George Waggoner, Benj. Johnson, Samuel Rosebary, Archibald Woods. Rev. Andrew Woods, Rev. Peter Woods Rev. Robert Bell, David Milligan, Elijah Williams, Ebenezer Picket, Moses Ayers, John Denson, Joseph McClusky, James Weeks, Alex. Borehill, Nicholas Robinson, James Busby, Thomas Green, Samuel Reynolds, Jesse Perkins, James Holland, John Robinson, William King, Samuel Runnells, William Crawford, James King, Richard Miller, John Barnett, David Larkins, William McCloud, Samuel Handley, Jacob Van Zant, Sr., James Harris, Robert Hudspeth, Jesse Ginn, Thomas Herlep, John Cowan, William Russell, Sr., Daniel Champion, William Faris, John Herrod, John Nellum, John Dellehide, William Greenwood, John Stokes, David McCord, Charles Weeks, Randolph Riddle, Matthew Taylor." These noble men were among those who first secured, and afterward maintained. our liberties, and Time, the great leveler, has long since closed the green earth over all that was mortal of every one of them. Many of the citizens of this county served under Jackson in the Florida war, and. according to tradition, Jackson encamped with his troops just below Winchester, on one occasion, while the Indians were encamped on the opposite side of the Boiling Fork. In the brief but brilliant war with Mexico it is learned that Franklin County furnished Capt. George T. Colyar's Company E. of the Third Regiment Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Col. B. F. Cheatham. This company, consisting of 116 men, rank and file, left Winchester in September, 1847, and was mustered into the United States service near Nashville about October 10,1847, and left for Mexico in the same month. Capt. Colyar died January 8, 1848, in the city of Mexico. His remains were sent to his home in Winchester. First Lieut. Sherrod Williams then became captain, and continued as such to the close of the war. The company was discharged about July 22, 1848. The following is a list of the survivors of the company now living in this county: A. J. Caldwell, John Thurman, F. M. Williams, Ed Jackson., William Adcock, David Smith, Nathan Boone and Gordon McCutcheon. The following are living elsewhere: T. H. Finch, Texas; W. H. Jones, Lincoln County; M. N. Matthews. Bedford County; Wilson Clark. Alabama; Berry Logan and William Taylor, Moore County; Ed Anderson and Alpheus Green, Texas. Oliver Posey is a survivor of some other command in the Mexican war, and lives in Franklin County."
. Contributor's Note: In the absence of original records, printed sources are used. In the case of this printed document, it was first printed in a Franklin Co., TN., newspaper article in the later part of 1800, so at that time the original records had already disappeared or were lost in fire. The following list is most important and it is most important that it be keep just as it is printed, because it is now considered original source material. This list has been printed and reprinted from time to time but in most cases some of the names were changed or left off. This listing is just as it was printed in 1888.

12 Compiled by Lois Smathers Neal, Abstracts of Vital Records From Raleigh, North Carolina Newspaper 1820-1829
Vol II. (The Reprint Company, Publishers Spartanburg, South Carolina 1980). page 614 Russell # 5093 North Carolina Archives

The Death notice gives an over view of Major William Russell life before March of 1825 in Franklin County Alabama. List his native county and state as Rutherford County North Carolina, He moved to Tennessee at an early age [as did JOHN RUSSELL one of the few or only Russell in the reported birth place of Major William Russell in the year of 1762] and served under Gen, Col. and Gov. John Sevier and Gen. and President Andrew Jackson.

13 Richard Wagner, John Russell of Cascaded Creek waters of the Dan River recorded land adjoining Captain William Bean before 1763 in Burnswick, Lunenburg, Pittsylvania, and Halifax Counties Of Virginia. John Russell lived in the reported area of Major William Russell native County and State reported in his death notice. John Russell and his brother in law Captain William Bean recorded lands deeds on Boons Creek.
Agnes Russell was in the reported area of Major William Russell when Mary 'POLLY' Russell "wife of Martin Little" was born in Virginia in 1780. William Russell recorded a 50-acre entry in September of 1779 on Boons Creek. An Act was passed by the North Carolina General Assembly for the Watauga Virginia deeds to be recorded as grants in 1782. With wife Agnes Russell and William Russell recorded a 50-acre tract on Boons Creek in 1782. Dicey Russell wife of Solomon Wagner reports her age as 66 in 1850 born in North Carolina. The two births locations support the death notice of North Carolina that Major William Russell was in Tennessee at an early age.
Major William Russell was of age to serve in the Revol. War with a calculated birth year of 1762 and being near 18 years old in 1780 and serving under General and Col. John Sevier. Major William Russell recorded a Virginia Grant in Jefferson County Kentucky in January of 1785 on Indian Creek. This area of Indian Creek became Barren County Kentucky in 1799. Major William Russell served on a Road Jury with Johnston and William King brother-in-laws to Solomon, George, John, William and Rebecca Bean Wagner.
Edmond SR. & JR., Absolom, George, Isham Sr. and two William Russell and son in law Martin Little were recorded in Smith-Jackson-Overton Counties of Tennessee between 1800 and 1808.
Major William Russell, Absolom Russell, Henry Russell and Solomon Wagner recorded Tennessee Grants on the Boling Fork of the Elk River in 1808 near the present day town of Cowan, Franklin County, Tennessee. The Boling Fork Baptist Church was held home at the home of Major William Russell with the extended arm of the Mill Creek Baptist Church of Barren-Monroe County Kentucky, Agnes Russell was among the members.
Major William and Agnes Russell were among the constituting members of the Bear Creek Baptist Church in 1817 in Franklin County Alabama.
.

14 Everett H. Turner, Everett H. Turner
http://www.eturner.com/Russell/files/fam02035.html.

15 Richard Wagner.

16 Pittsylvania Co., Virginia, 1767 Tax List (http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/pittsylvania/census/tith.txt, https://sites.rootsweb.com/~vapittsy/tith.htm).

17 The Gospel Messenger (No. 1 Butler, Georgia
January 1886 Vol. 8).

18 Musters of Major William Russell War of 1812.

19 Andrew Jackson's Papers, Reel #65 Series #5 1781 JA - 1813 DEC. 14 Library of Congress.

20 Gary H. Wiles B.A. J.D., Delores M. Brown, Trails of the White Savages (Photosensitive
P.O. Box 7408
Leguna Neguel. Ca. 92607
1st print 1998
ISBN # 1-889252-03-4
LCC card # 97-76332).

21 Virginia M. and J.R. Brock, Cowan Bell Special Bicentennial Issue, May 24 1975 (201 Vanderbilt Drive, P.O. Box 128, Cowan, Tennessee 37318).

22 History of Franklin County.

23 Frankiln County, TN - Military - 1812 Home Guards.

24 Compiled by Lois Smathers Neal, Abstracts of Vital Records From Raleigh, North Carolina Newspaper 1820-1829
Vol II. (The Reprint Company, Publishers Spartanburg, South Carolina 1980).

25 52 cal Peacemaker property description. Item Name: Percussion Rifle
Caliber: .52
Barrel Length: 40" octagon
O.A. Length: 56" to heel of butt
Serial #: None
Type Action: Single shot, side lock
Alterations, Accessories: Wooden ramrod
Sights: Blade front, open fixed rear
Condition: Good

Description: Inlaid silver plate inscription on barrel flat reads, "Maj. Russels, old gun. Presented by J.B. to Joseph Burlesson of Texas, 1839." Half-stock, brass patch box, iron ramrod thimbles. Double set trigger. All iron mounts.

History: Old case card states, "Used in Texas Revolution, the Mexican War adn the War Between the States." No authenticating information found. Old case card lists as G-6.

Remarks: None

Donor: Unknown [handwritten: Joseph E. Burleson III]. Received scan of some clippings from Richard Wagner. Items in scan:

Cased in the Long Barracks
Case #G-6

Business card or stationery letterhead?
The Alamo
300 Alamo Plaza
P.O. Box 2599
San Antonio, Texas 78299
Dr. Richard Bruce Winders
Historian and Curator
Tel: 210-225-4391 ext 27 [?]
Fax: 210-229-1343 [?]
E-Mail: [email protected]

26 Jewel D. Scarborough, Southern Kith and Kin, p. 237. ...shoe Bend, as did David Crockett, whose family lived near the Russells in Tennessee; and George Russell, son of Major William, was a close friend of David Crockett. The Burlesons, famous in Texas history, were not only friends and neighbors in Tennessee, but continued their friendship in North Alabama, where both families settled after leaving Tennessee. There is a story in the family that Rufus Burleson of Texas was baptized into the Baptist church by George Daniel Russell, grandson of Major William, and that as a token of his friendship presented his friend his grandfather's gun, used in the War of 1812. Though it was reported that the gun was given to the Baylor University Museum, or to the Archives at the Alamo, no record of it has been found.

27 REGIMENTAL HISTORIES OF TENNESSEE UNITS DURING THE WAR OF 1812 (http://www.state.tn.us/sos/statelib/pubsvs/1812reg.htm, http://www.tngenweb.org/bedford/war1812.htm). MAJOR WILLIAM RUSSELL
DESIGNATION: Separate Battalion of Volunteer Mounted Gunmen
DATES: September 1814 - March 1815
MEN MOSTLY FROM: Franklin, Bedford, Blount, Madison (Ala.), Rutherford, Warren, and Wilson Counties
CAPTAINS: William Chism, John Cowan, Fleman Hodges, George Mitchie, William Russell, John Trimble, Isaac Williams
BRIEF HISTORY:
Along with a battalion commanded by Major Chiles, this unit served in the Pensacola/Mobile region and was a part of Major Uriah Blue's expedition that roamed along the Escambia River in Florida in search of renegade Creeks toward the end of the war. Approximately 500 men served in this battalion, one of whom was David Crockett, a sergeant in Capt. John Conway's company.
From Fayetteville, where the battalion was mustered in, they traveled to Fort Stephens (crossing the Tennessee River at Muscle Shoals); leaving their horses behind, the battalion marched to Pensacola (via Fort Montgomery) where they participated in the battle of 7 November 1814; and returned to Fort Montgomery. At Fort Montgomery they were put under the command of Major Uriah Blue.

28 Tennessee, Franklin Co., 1812 Tax List (http://www.tngenweb.org/franklin/frantax.htm). Page 1 (77)
Jesse BEAN
Robert BEAN
George BEAN
Joab BEAN
John BEAN
William BEAN, Jur.
John H. BEAN
Joel BEAN
Jesse BEAN, Jur.
Edmond BEAN

Page 13 (89)
Jesse BEAN
William BEAN
George RUSSELL, Sr.
George RUSSELL, Jur.
Samuel RUSSELL
John RUSSELL

Page 15 (91)
William RUSSELL
John RUSSELL
Edmond RUSSELL
Bolie EMRY
Mims RUSSELL
Thomas RUSSELL

Page 16 (92)
John RUSSELL, Ser.
William RUSSELL, Ser.
William RUSSELL, Jur.
George RUSSELL
Martin LITTLE
Edmond RUSSELL
Henry RUSSELL
James RUSSELL
Henry RUSSELL
John RUSSELL

Page 17 (93)
Absalom RUSSELL
Aaron SARGENT
Temple SARGENT
William SARGENT
James SARGENT

Page 20 (96)
Jesse EMBRY

Page 21 (97)
George WAGONER
Solomon WAGONER
William WAGONER



Agreeable to an act of the General Assembly passed at Knoxville November the first 1811 for taking an inumeration of the free taxable inhabitants of the State I do certify that I have taken all those who are entitled to a vote for members of the General Assembly at the next election and who on the first day of January in the year 1812 did live in the district in which I was appointed to take such list of taxable property and polls given in on my hand this 2nd day of March 1812.

[Signed] Richard CALLAWAY
Commissioner, State of Tennessee, Franklin County

I Absalom RUSSELL, Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions for said County do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the lists of the enumeration of person's names returned to my office by the justices of the peace who was appointed to take in said lists, given under my hand at office this 23d day of August 1812.

[Signed] Absalom RUSSELL
Clk, State of Tennessee, Franklin County

I do Certify that Absolom RUSSELL who signed the above certificate is Clerk of this court of pleas and quarter sessions for the county of Franklin and was at the time he signed said certificate given under my hand and seal the 28th day of August 1812.

[Signed] Leo TARANT
Justice of The Peace For Franklin County.
. 1812 FRANKLIN COUNTY, TENNESSEE TAX LIST
Roll No. 3, TSLA
Transcribed by Judy Henley Phillips. All rights reserved.
The tax lists on this roll of microfilm are paged consecutively. The Franklin Co., TN list begins with page 77 and is also numbered beginning with page 1. I have enclosed the microfilm page number in parenthesis for convenience in finding a page of interest. Each page has a double row of names with their number of polls. The polls are tallied at the end of each row and with the figure brought forward to the next column. All polls are 1 except where indicated otherwise. There are not more than two polls listed for a person. Due to ownership of land in other districts, names do appear more than once.
The enumerator changed his style of recording the names from time to time. He switched between putting the surname first and the given name first. The handwriting is consistent throughout, indicating the same enumerator or scribe.
Most of the names are fairly easy to read. I have placed a question mark by those I feel unsure about. The pages appear to be in good shape and have microfilmed well.