James ROBERTSON, the leader of the expedition about to be described, and who from henceforth will play an important part in the Cumberland settlement, is called by some historians the "Father of Tennessee." With equal propriety he may be called the "father of Middle Tennessee". He was born in Brunswick County, Virginia, June 28, 1742, and while yet a youth removed with his parents to Orange County (now Wake County), North Carolina. In 1768 he married Miss Charlotte REEVES, of that State. Having heard and answered the alluring call of the West he journeyed in the spring of 1770 from North Carolina to the Holston river in East Tennessee. There he lent his aid to the SHELBYS, SEVIERS and others in founding Watauga, the first colony west of the mountains. For nine years previous to his coming to the Cumberland he had heroically braved the dangers of the wilderness and suffered innumerable privations because of the ravages of hostile Indians, being exposed to the cruelties of these savage foes.
Of him Judge John HAYWOOD, his contemporary and intimate friend, has said: "Like almost all those in America who have attained distinction ROBERTSON could boast of neither noble lineage nor splendid ancestry. But he had what was far more valuable, a sound mind, a healthy body, a robust frame, an intrepid soul and an emulous desire for honest fame."
In personal appearance ROBERTSON was tall, of fair complexion, light blue eyes, and dark hair. Though quiet and retiring in manner, he was by nature a leader of men and master of affairs. That pioneer Frenchman, Timothy DEMONBREUN, once said of ROBERTSON: "He always know savoir faire, vat to do and he do him."
But let us return to the immigrants. Late in October, 1779, the overland party, about two hundred strong, left Watauga. The route chosen was a difficult one, leading as it did, by way of southern Kentucky. Passing along the well-beaten trace through the mountains at Cumberland Gap they traveled what was then known as the Kentucky Trace to Whitley's Station on Dick's river, thence to Carpenter's station on Green River, and thence to Robertson's Fork on the north side of Green River. From there they journeyed down the river to Pittman's Station, descending the stream to Little Barren, which was crossed at Elk Lick. From thence they passed over to Big Barren and then up Drake's Creek to a noted bituminous spring, thence to a location in Simpson County called Maple Swamp. From the latter place they crossed into Robertson County, Tennessee, and traveled along Red River to Cross Plains, going south by way of Goodlettsville, and passing over Cumberland river at the bluff where Nashville now stands. This, the end of their journey, was reached the latter part of December, probably on Christmas Day, 1779, and quite two months after their departure from Watauga. The weather during the months of November and December had been extremely severe, a large part of the journey having been made through snow. The party had suffered much from cold. This season has ever since been known throughout the Eastern States as the "hard winter." However, ROBERTSON and all his followers arrived in safety, having traveled about five hundred miles. No deaths had occurred and they had been free from attacks by the Indians.
Cumberland River was frozen solid from bank to bank, and the entire party crossed over on the ice. When they were in mid stream the ice began to break with a cracking sound that might have been heard for many miles, and all the company were badly frightened lest they should be plunged into the river. It only settled a little, howeve
