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Sampson Williams 1762-1841

Sampson Williams 1762-1841 is a Tennessee historical marker in Jackson County.

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Sampson Williams is regarded as the founding father of Jackson County and is considered its first citizen. In a 1789 engagement with the Indians in the Cumberland settlement, Andrew Jackson was under Captain Williams' command. Later, he and Jackson became close friends. Williams was appointed sheriff of Davidson County on December 15, 1790. He operated a ferry at the crossing of the Cumberland. A commander of Fort Blount in late 1793, he served as state senator, built early roads, and established at least two schools.

Maps this old were drawn largely by eye, so places on them can sit miles from where they really are. The pin is ours and marks the marker's location today.

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David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

Historical maps covering this location

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For example, one family's tree showed the Articles of Confederation marker in Pennsylvania standing under a mile from where William Gabby lived in the 1760s.

What that marker records spans 1777 to 1789, overlapping William Gabby's years there.

From one family's 77-marker roster

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Marker text and location from the Tennessee Historical Commission, as the Commission publishes them on its marker map.

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