Historedia
Person

John Donelson

Events
2
Episodes
10
Years
1772–1781

Every event in Historedia whose sources name John Donelson, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. Signing of the Watauga Association Compact

    1772–1776

    Role: Colonel whose survey confirmed the lands were still Cherokee domain

    1. 1772 · Watauga and Nolichucky valleysSurvey confirming Cherokee domain

      A survey by Colonel John Donelson confirmed the Watauga and Nolichucky lands remained within the Cherokee domain.

    2. May 1772 · Sycamore Shoals on the Watauga River, in present-day ElizabethtonCherokee lease and founding of the Watauga Association

      Watauga and Nolichucky settlers leased land from the Cherokee and formed a semi-autonomous government in May 1772.

    3. 1774 · Virginia governor's statementDunmore's condemnation of the Association

      In 1774 Virginia governor Lord Dunmore called the Watauga Association a dangerous example of independent government.

    4. November 1776 · Washington DistrictNorth Carolina annexation of the Washington District

      North Carolina annexed the Watauga settlement area, by then known as the Washington District, in November 1776.

  2. Founding of Fort Nashborough

    1779–1781

    Role: Co-founder of the settlement; led a river migration group starting in early 1780

    1. early 1779 · French Lick area of the Cumberland River valleyEstablishment of the stockade at French Lick

      Settlers descended the Cumberland River and built a fortified station at French Lick in early 1779, later known as Fort Nashborough.

    2. February 1779 · Cumberland River valleyRobertson's exploration of the Cumberland area

      In February 1779, James Robertson set out with a nine-man party to explore the same Cumberland area.

    3. 1 November 1779 · Route from Fort Patrick Henry to Fort NashboroughRobertson leads settlers from Fort Patrick Henry

      On 1 November 1779, Robertson led some 200 settlers from Fort Patrick Henry on Long Island toward Fort Nashborough.

    4. early 1780 · Cumberland and Tennessee riversDonelson's river voyage begins

      Starting in early 1780, John Donelson's group was halted after traveling only three miles on their river voyage.

    5. 1780 · Cumberland settlementThe Cumberland Compact

      In 1780, Robertson drew up the Cumberland Compact, beginning a new phase of autonomy from North Carolina's government.

    6. April 2, 1781 · the fort at the bluffsChickamauga Cherokee attack on the fort

      On April 2, 1781, a force of Chickamauga Cherokee attacked the fort at the bluffs.

Sources

  1. Watauga Association Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-28
  2. Fort Nashborough Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-18