The New Student's Reference Work/Sevier, John

Sevier (sē̇-vēr′), John, American politician and celebrated pioneer and Indian-fighter, was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, in 1745; and died in Georgia in 1815. He married at 17; and at 19 founded a village in Shenandoah Valley. This settlement grew into the town of Newmarket. He was a captain in the Virginia Line during Lord Dunmore's colonial war (1774). It was he who requested the annexation to North Carolina of what is now Tennessee. After the War of the Revolution this region became ambitious for an independent government; and one was actually formed. Sevier became governor of this attempted state, which was called Franklin. North Carolina broke up the government and imprisoned Sevier. He escaped, and in 1790 was returned to Congress. He was made Tennessee's first governor when it was formed into a state (1796). This office he held until 1801; and again from 1803 to 1809. From 1811 he served four years in Congress. Sevier's death took place while he was engaged in negotiations with the Creek Indians.