Franklin in Williamson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Edward Swanson

(1759-1840)

Photographed by Timothy John Vollmer, December 2018

1. Edward Swanson Marker

Inscription. Edward Swanson laid the foundation for a cabin one mile west prior to March 1780. This was the earliest known attempted white settlement in Williamson County. Swanson was one of eight men who came to the French Lick with James Robertson early in 1779 to plant corn in preparation for the settlement of what would later become Nashville. Marauding Indians made it impossible for Swanson to finish his homesteading effort, and he escaped to the safety of Fort Nashborough. Swanson barely missed death in hand-to-hand fighting with an Indian during the 1781 Battle of the Bluff. By 1800, he was living here where he eventually owned more than 1,000 acres. He is buried in the family cemetery near the homesite.

Erected 1997 by Williamson County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee – Williamson County Historical Society series list.

Location. 35° 51.662′ N, 86° 53.053′ W. Marker is in Franklin, Tennessee, in Williamson County. It is at the intersection of

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Kittrell Rd and Columbia Pike (Highway 31), on the right when traveling west on Kittrell Rd. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Franklin TN 37064, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee

and in Greater Nashville.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: West Harpeth Primitive Baptist Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); "The Harrison House" (approx. 1.4 miles away); Alabama (approx. 1.9 miles away); Arkansas (approx. 1.9 miles away); Cockrell's Missouri Brigade CSA (approx. 1.9 miles away); Tennessee (approx. 1.9 miles away); The Confederate Soldier (approx. 1.9 miles away); Battle of Franklin (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in

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Franklin.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2018, by Timothy John Vollmer of Franklin, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,322 times since then and 76 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on December 1, 2018, by Timothy John Vollmer of Franklin, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.