John Donelson

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John Donelson
Born 1718
Died 1785
Nationality American
Occupation Explorer
Spouse(s) Rachel Stockley Donelson
Children Rachel Jackson
Relatives Andrew Jackson (son-in-law)
Donelson Caffery (great-grandson)
Patrick T. Caffery (great-great-great grandson)

John Donelson (17181785) was an explorer and adventurer.[1]

Biography

Early life

John Donelson was born in 1718.

Career

He served in the Virginia House of Burgesses before moving to the Watauga settlements on the Holston and Watauga rivers in East Tennessee. From about 1770 to 1779, he operated the Washington Iron Furnace at Rocky Mount, Franklin County, Virginia.[2] Along with James Robertson, he cofounded Fort Nashborough in 1780, which would eventually become the city of Nashville, Tennessee.[1] His diaries are kept in Cleveland Hall, Nashville.[3]

Personal life and legacy

In 1744, he married Rachel Stockley Donelson (1730-1801).[1] Their daughter, Rachel Jackson, married the seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson.[1]

He died in 1785. His great-grandson Donelson Caffery of Louisiana, was a U.S. Senator from 1892–1900 and his great-great-great grandson, Patrick T. Caffery of Louisiana, was a U.S. Representative from 1969 to 1973.

Donelson, Tennessee was named in honor of the colonel.

See also

References

  • Crabb, Alfred Leland (1957). Journey to Nashville: A Story of the Founding. New York: Bobbs-Merrill. 
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 National First Ladies' Library: Rachel Jackson
  2. Anne Carter Lee (September 1972). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Washington Iron Furnace". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. 
  3. History of Cleveland Hall, Rayon Yarns, April 1946

External links

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