William Russell
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William Russell (abt. 1760 - 1825)

Major William Russell
Born about in Tryon, North Carolinamap [uncertain]
Ancestors ancestors
Son of [uncertain] and [uncertain]
Husband of — married 18 Mar 1790 in Washington, Virginia, United Statesmap
Descendants descendants
Died at about age 65 in Franklin, Alabama, United Statesmap
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Profile last modified | Created 11 Jan 2015
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Contents

Biography

Religion: Boling Fork Baptist Church roll in Franklin County Tennessee held at the home of Major William Russell andiIn Franklin County Alabama as a constituting member of the Bear Creek Baptist Church in 1817. Major William Russell was in Tennessee at an early age as was John Russell, brother in law of Captain William Bean, and served under General John Sevier.

Agnes Russell, Church Rolls, Franklin County Alabama, The Bear Creek Baptist Church was constituted in June of 1817 with Elder Peter Woods and William Jennings being the presbytery. The preacher was Elder John Davis of Tennessee of the Boling Fork Baptist Church near Cowan, in Franklin County Tennessee of the Elk River Association. Constituting Members of the Bear creek Baptist Church in June of 1817.

1. John Davis 2. Polly Davis3. James Robertson 4. Anna Robertson 5. William Russell {SR.?}* 6.Ebenezer Bowlin 7. Abigail Bowlin 8. William Gotcher9. Polly Gotcher 10. Jesse Bean 11. Polly Bean12. Anna Stanphill 13. Louis Russell 14. Hester Russell15. Lemuel Bean 16. Sally Bean 17. William Russell [JR.?]18. Lucy Arnold 19. Agnes Russell * 20. Temple Sargent21. Peggy Sargent 22. William Sargent 23. Polly Sargent24. Jabez Gerald 25. William Bailey 26. Elizabeth P. Gerald27. Edwin Farned 28. Budges Arnold 29. Mary Farned30. Isham Arnold 31. Jeremiah Horner 32. Black Sarah*

  1. 32 Black Sarah was listed on the Boling Fork Baptist Church rolls
  • This list was transposed from the Book- History of the First

Baptist Church, Russellville, Alabama by Boyce Broadus, Banner Press/Publishers,Birmingham, Alabama 1967.

Temple Sargent "son in law of Major William Russell" was Ordained Deacon on the first Sabbath in October 1817 and served for many a year. The Muscle Shoals Baptist Association was formed in the Russell ValleyChurch 15 July 1820.

This Church also connected with the Flint River Association. Elder John Davis resigned as pastor in 1827. AGNES RUSSELL BOLING FORK BAPTIST CHURCH Baptist Churches of Tennessee Church History Research & Archives 220 Graystone Drive, Gallatin, Tennessee 37066


Birth

William Russell's birth has been reported as Tennessee [1] or Tryon (now Rutherford) County, North Carolina. He may have been born in the Watauga Settlement, in what is now Tennessee, but was previously in North Carolina territory. The Russell and Bean families were among the early settlers of Watauga. According to one source, William was born 1760, in Tryon ,North Carolina, the son of George Russell (born 1720) and Elizabeth (Bean) Russell. [2] (Note: In 1779, Tryon County was divided into Lincoln and Rutherford Counties in North Carolina, and ceased to exist.)

Marriage and Early Life

William's family migrated to the Watauga Settlement, in what was then Grainger County, Tennessee when he was about 9 years of age.

William married , Agnes McCollough,[3] [last name needs verification; the name Agnes Russell appears on Baptist Church rolls in Franklin County along with William.] born about 1745, in Virginia. For more information regarding the children of William and Agnes, see her profile.

Russell settled in Franklin County, Tennessee, where his cabin served as the first county court house. A replica of this log cabin is on site at the railroad museum in Cowan, Tennessee. In 1808, William and Absalom Russell received grants on the Boiling Fork River.


Military Service Major Russell was a captain of a Battallion of Volunteer Mounted Gunmen during the War of 1812/Creek Indian War. William fought alongside Andrew Jackson and Sam Houston at the battle of Horseshoe Bend. In a flanking maneuver, he and his group of mounted spies along with friendly Cherokees assailed the Red Sticks from the rear, seizing the victory:

"Col. Gideon Morgan, who commanded the Cherokees, Capt. Kerr, and Capt. William Russell, with a part of his company of spies, were among the first that crossed the river. They advanced into the village and very soon drove the enemy from the huts up the river bank to the fortified works from which they were fighting you. They pursued and continued to annoy during your whole action." [4]

The Creeks had been fighting the Americans in their front at such close quarters that their bullets flattened upon the bayonets thrust through the portholes. This attack from the rear by 500 Cherokee diverted their attention and gave opportunity to the Tennesseans, adopted Cherokee Sam Houston among them, to swim over the breastwork. With more than half their number dead upon the ground, the rest of the Creeks turned and plunged into the river, only to find the banks on the opposite side lined with enemies and escape cut off.

The men sent out to count the dead found 557 warriors dead within the enclosure. Coffee estimated that another 250 to 300 were shot in the water.

In addition to the Horseshoe Bend battle (27 Mar 1814), Major Russell was involved in the Pensacola campaign. Davy Crockett was in his command. They mustered in Fayetteville, TN, crossed the Tennessee River at Muscle Shoals, and marched to Pensacola via Fort Montgomery. The Battle of Pensacola took place on 7 Nov 1814, and they returned to Fort Montgomery. [5]

Some secondary sources say he was Andrew Jackson's chief of staff at the Battle of New Orleans, but this has not been substantiated by primary sources.

A rifle which belonged to Major Russell is in the collection at the Alamo and is viewable on request by arrangements with the curator. 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. (Edward Burleson was a major figure in the Texas Revolution.) The gun is a .52 caliber Pennsylvania long rifle with an octagonal barrel and double set trigger. It bears a silver plate with the inscription "Maj. Russels, old gun. Presented by J.B. to Joseph Burlesson of Texas, 1839."

Settling in Alabama After his military service, he settled in what is now Franklin County, Alabama, and is credited with being the first white settler in that area. The town of Russellville in that county is named in his honor.[6] In any case, many sources relate that he found the land in what is now Franklin County to be a good place to settle (supposedly on the way to New Orleans, but probably after crossing at Muscle Shoals in the Pensacola campaign). "Major Russell settled two miles east of the present site of Russellville. The old cemetery is near where the original cabin was built. After cutting Jackson Highway from Nashville to New Orleans, he came back and built the first pioneer cabin in Franklin County."[7]

"Among the earliest settlers of this immediate section was Major William Russell. He came about 1815. Along with him or following close behind him were many of Jackson's soldiers, who had first seen the country on their return from the Battle of New Orleans."[8]

Death

William died in 1825 and is buried near Russellville, Franklin, Alabama. [9] [10]

" Died at his residence in this county, on Wednesday the 16th inst. Major Wm Russell aged about 63 years. In the demise of this man, Society has lost an ornament - the poor of his neighborhood, a kind benefactor - the survivors of his family, an indulgent protector, and his country a patriot. On our western frontier from his boyhood, the opponent, but never an unrelenting victor - An officer in the late Creek and Seminole wars, he had the friendship of his commander and the love and respect of his men. These best exhibit his character as a soldier." [The Tuscumbian, 28 Mar 1825, Tuscumbia, Alabama]

Notes

P.252 SOUTHERN KITH AND KIN

Grandmother told many thrilling stories of her lonely vigils during Grandpa’s frequent hunting excursions and many stories of Major Bill Russell’s adventures. Of General Jackson sending him to find out the fate of Ft. Mims during the Creek Indian Wars, which he did, but had his hunting shirt shot full of holes, though he escaped with a few scratches. Col. Gordon sent Grandpa George Russell and David Crockett to locate the Indians. After two days they found the deserted Indian Camp, with fires still smoking and large quantities of corn buried, but the Indians were gone. General Jackson then sent Major Bill Russell, my great-grandfather, and his oldest son, Captain Bill Russell, out to try to locate the Indians. They rode to the top of a hill and Major Bill, as was his custom, dismounted and stood by the side of his horse to listen. There was a great cawing of crows. Major Bill said to his son: “That is too many crows. Those are Indians.” Almost at once the opposite slope came alive with Indians, which frightened the Major’s horse and he ran away, leaving the Major afoot. He ordered his son to go at once and report the matter to General Jack- son and he would get to camp if he could. In going up the hill he gained on the Indians, but in going down hill they gained on him. General Jackson’s army was stationed in Horseshoe Bend, a bend of the Taladega River, and into this bend the charging Indians rushed with Major Bill in the lead. Soon his famous rifle was cracking with deadly effect. This was one of the greatest slaughter of Indians in Indian Warfare. The bravery of this Indian charge was never ex¬ celled and General Jackson’s victory was complete, practically ending the war. This battle, however, did not end the history of Major Bill Russell’s old gun. I have furnished a more elaborate history of it to George, which I think that he has. The gun now rests as a souvenir in the Davy Crockett Room of the Alamo, I feel sure that it was placed there by Albert Sydney Burleson of San Antonio, who was Post Master General under Woodrow Wilson. Mr. Richard Burleson and Dr. Rufus Burleson exhausted their efforts to secure a place for it in Baylor University, and my brother, George Dallas Russell, tried to rescue it from Murry Burleson. I taught Murry Burleson’s children for three years and he allowed me to care for the gun and to hunt squirrels with it in the Colorado river bottoms. I felt that I was a reproach to the Russell name if I failed to hit a squirrel anywhere except m the head. It was hand made and kept in such prime condition that every dent of the hammer could be plainly seen. o me it was a symbol of that Liberty and bravery for which it has always spoken and for which it still speaks for generations yet unborn.”

[11]


List of children needs verification.

Unverified Information

The following unverified notes are preserved from the older biography. is said to list William as the son of Captain George Russell and Elizabeth (Bean) Russell, but I cannot find this information in the book [CBB].

"William married first Charity _______? There are no reported children of this marriage." [documentation needed]

They [William and Agnes] were the parents of nine children born in Washington County, Tennessee, Fauquier County, Virginia, North Carolina, and Wilkes County, Georgia. Such is the life of a soldier. It seems as though Agnes was a "camp follower." [documentation needed]

Sources

  1. History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography
  2. Clan MacBean in North America, Volume II, Fifth Edition, Revised 1993, by Joseph S. Bean, pages 313
  3. Dodd, Jordan. Virginia, Compiled Marriages, 1660-1800 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1997.
  4. Source: Past Times Magazine Aug. 1997
  5. War Office records, Washington, D.C., published in The Tuscumbian and quoted in letter from Margaret Russell Sargent Broadus, 1950
  6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russellville,_Alabama
  7. letter from Margaret Russell Sargent Broadus, 1950
  8. The Papers of Andrew Jackson: 1816-1820 (available on Google Books)
  9. Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 23 September 2018), memorial page for Maj William Russell, Sr (1762–16 Feb 1825), Find A Grave: Memorial #42272129, citing Denton Hollow Cemetery, Franklin County, Alabama, USA ; Maintained by janelle williams (contributor 47128064) .
  10. http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=47537595&pid=191
  11. Southern kith and kin; a record of my children's ancestors, by Scarborough, Jewel Davis, 1887-1968




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Comments: 4

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Please add Temple Sargent as a son in law of William Russell. You must identify the daughter of William, who is the wife of Temple. Here is the source: History of the First

BaptistChurch, Russellville, Alabama by Boyce Broadus, Banner Press/Publishers,Birmingham, Alabama 1967. Temple Sargent "son in law of Major William Russell" was Ordained Deaconon the first Sabbath in October 1817 and served for many a year. The Muscle Shoals Baptist Association was formed in the Russell ValleyChurch 15 July 1820. This Church also connected with the Flint River Association. Elder JohnDavis resigned as pastor in 1827. AGNESRUSSELL BOLING FORK BAPTIST CHURCH Baptist Churches of Tennessee Church History Research & Archives 220 Graystone Drive, Gallatin, Tennessee 37066

posted by Lilly Martin
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150298361532618&type=3

If you plan to visit the Polly Crockett Festival in Cowan, Tennessee, here in September 2011, don't miss to visit Major William Russell's home. Davy Crockett served several times during the Creek Indian War 1813-15 in companies of volunteer riflemen lead by Captain William Russell, later promoted to Major William Russell. Crockett always call him Old Major Russell, because the old man had a son, Captain William Russell (1789-1860), who also served together with Crockett in the Creek War. Old Major Russell (1760-1825) had another son, George Russell (1795-1831) who was chosen by Crockett to his first scouting mission in the Creek Indian War. George Russell is the foundation for the idea of Disney's Georgie Russel in The King of the Wild Frontier. Old Major William Russell had also a brother, named Absolem Russell who died during the Creek War on November 23, 1813, at the same date and spot as Elizabeth Patton's first husband James Patton. The Russell's family and the Bean family were married together with sons and daughters from both sides. Both families had lived in Washington County, Tenn. before they moved to Franklin County. See less

posted by Lilly Martin
Can anybody send me the relevant pages from the Russell book or the MacBean book? Trying to document the evidence that Major William Russell of TN/AL is the son of George Russell.

Are we sure he is the same one who was in the Revolution? Where was this bounty land?

posted by Clay Blankenship
Revolutionary War: Served in Captain Jacob WOMACK's Company, Fort Fincastle County, VA, 15 July 1776 to 28 Sep 1776. Received 300 acres of bounty l

and in 1808/11for his military service. Served at King's Mountain. War of 1812: From 4 Oct 1813 to 4 Apr 1814, William was Captain of a Company of Mounted Spies (Scouts), TN Militia. From 4 Apr 1814 to 27 Mar 1815 he was Major in command of the Mounted Spies, TN Militia, commanded the Separate Battalion, Tennessee Volunteer Mounted Gunmen, Major General Andrew Jackson's 2nd Division of the South, in the Creek Indian War. This William RUSSELL had three sons also in the Creek Wars (War of 1812): William, Lewis, Absolom and George. He had difficulty in getting paid because his nephew was in his battalion: "It is possible they might find some difficulty in identifying me because they will see a nephew of mine in the same service and time attached to my battalion of the same name as mine."

posted by [Living Russell]

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