The John Donelson (1718-1785) party began its water route to the Cumberland Compact in late 1779 with many enslaved African Americans as part of the group. Jack Civil was one of the few free African Americans who made the journey. Civil arrived at Fort Nashborough with the Donelson party on April 24, 1780. By 1800, the Nashville population included 295 whites, 151 enslaved persons, and three free African Americans. Civil left the Nashborough settlement after a dispute in which he was not given the full share of his land grant. Once he left, white settlers disparaged his name and accused him of assisting the Native Americans during later uprisings.
Jack Civil
36.16411, -86.77534
Description
The John Donelson (1718-1785) party began its water route to the Cumberland Compact in late 1779 with many enslaved African Americans as part of the group. Jack Civil was one of the few free African Americans who made the journey. Civil arrived at Fort Nashborough with the Donelson party on April 24, 1780. By 1800, the Nashville population included 295 whites, 151 enslaved persons, and three free African Americans. Civil left the Nashborough settlement after a dispute in which he was not given the full share of his land grant. Once he left, white settlers disparaged his name and accused him of assisting the Native Americans during later uprisings.