Early Governors' Papers

State of Tennessee D^r

To Benjamin Totten Sheriff of Jackson County To one days attendance at Bledsoes- Borough for purchase of Delivering a test of the votes taken in Jackson County for Elector of President & Vice President of the United States $1 75

To 125 Miles Traveling to & returning from the place of comparing the Votes - $8.75 $10 50

I do hereby certify that Benjⁿ Totten Sheriff of Jackson County hath performed the services above stated agreeable to Law

Given under my hand at Bledsoesborough 5^th November 1804

Willis Jones J P

John Sevier Governor

Examined & Allowed Jn^o Goss Ch^m

21^st August 1803

Sir,

Yours [illegible] the enclosed from M^r Sommerville has been received. It appears very probable that Frainum has been guilty of the Murder of Maj. Brashear. he is a noted villain and stole a hoge from - this neigh bourhood before he started; [swapped?] her away in Jackson County and I believe stole another there. The horse he stole here has been got by the owner and I have no doubt the proof is sufficient to convict him Frainum

I will use every industry in my power to have him apprehended. His companion who has lost one of his ears ought also to be taken, and that the a more full inquiry may be made of so the horrid Villainy may be more fully enquire

I am as yet uncertain what steps it may be necessary to pursue, ut shall give you easily informa tion, for the meantime I wish to receive from you any further information ^intelligence of the subject you may have it in your power to procure

I am sir with respect your obed^t Servant Archibald Roane

Col^o. Meigs

August 22d 1803

Dr Sir,

Trainum who last spring stole Mr. Montgomerys horse, and who afterwards (as I have heard) was supposed to have stolen one from Capt. Joseph Payton of Jackson County was seen at the Crab Orchard last Thursday evening in Company with a man who had lost an ear

I have had information that it is strongly suspected that they lately murdered Maj. Brashear of Kentucky at the Kegg Spring near Duck River on the post road leading to Natchez and robbed him of 2000 dollars in Gold, and some silver. As I have no doubt Trainum is guilty of horse stealing and from the circumstances believe him guilty of the robbery and Murder above stated I am anxious that he should be apprehended for trial and wish you could make such inquiries as might lead to a discovery whether he has been in his old range on Clinch, and what rout [sic] he has gone, Whether he has deposited money there, &c

I have thought it ^might be prudent to conceal the information respecting the Murder ^to wait defaming him until some further intelligence can be had respecting him. I know you detest a Villain and will do on this occasion what prudence and a love of Justice may dictate

I am &c Archibald Roane

Henry Breazeale Esq^r Roane County

22^d August 1803

Dear Sir,

Trainum who formerly lived on Clinch, who stole M^r Montgomery horse last spring and swapped him in your county. Was seen last thursday evening at the Crab Orchard well mounted and armed with pistols, in company with a man who has lost an ear, It is conjectured they were bound for Stockdon Valley. I have heard that you suspected the same Trainum for stealing a horse from you, and that you had never yet been able to find him. I have thought proper to give you this information that you may have it in your power to use those measures you may think necessary. I will also add that from the information I have received ^it appears very probable that Trainum was lately guilty of murdering and robbing Maj^r Brashear of Kentucky near Duck river on the road from Natchez to Nashville

If this charge can be made supported against him, the person who apprehends him will be entitled to a reward of four hundred Dollars

I have thought it prudent not to circulate that suspicion here generally of his being guilty of the murder until the measures I have taken I can ascertain whether he will venture back to Clinch where he formerly resided. He is so notorious a Villain that I am anxious he should be apprehended and brought to Justice.

D^r Sir &c

Archibald Roane

Cap^t Joseph Taylor Jackson County

Know all men by these presents that we Robert L. Caruthers James Rucks, W^m E. Anderson & Fran^s McGavock all of the state of Tennessee are held & firmly bound unto his excellency William Carroll Esqr, governor in & over the State of Tennessee or his successors in office the sum of ten thousand dollars. To which payment will & truly to be made & done we bind ourselves & each of our heirs executors or administrators jointly & severally firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals, and dated this 29th day of December AD 1824

The condition of the above obligation is such; that whereas the above named Robert L. Caruthers hath this day been appointed Clerk & Master in the Chancery Court for the Counties of Sumner Wilson Smith Jackson Overton & Fentress to be holden at Carthage in the State aforesaid: Now if the said Robert L. Caruthers shall safely keep the records, & faithfully discharge all & singular the duties of his office as Clerk & master aforesaid; then shall the above obligation be null & void otherwise be & remain in full force & virtue.

Rob^t L. Caruthers (seal) J. Rucks - (seal) W. E. Anderson (seal) F McGavock (seal)

Teste R McGavock