Castilian Springs in Sumner County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Abraham “Abram” Bledsoe

African-American Frontiersman

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 11, 2021

1. Abraham “Abram” Bledsoe Marker

Inscription.

Between Isaac Bledsoe's fort and Anthony Bledsoe's Greenfield, the frontier slave, identified in early accounts only as “Abram" and belonging to Col. Anthony Bledsoe, thwarted an April 27, 1793 Indian attack on Greenfield. Two months later, surprised by Cherokee Chiefs "John Taylor” and “Mad Dog” in a canebrake between the forts, he mortally shot the latter. In 1813, “Abram” met the lost child Josephus Conn Guild and guided him to safety. Guild never forgot this act of kindness.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3B 61.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 27, 1793.

Location. 36° 23.817′ N, 86° 19.432′ W. Marker is in Castilian Springs, Tennessee, in Sumner County. It is on Hartsville Pike west of Old Highway 25, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Castalian Springs

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TN 37031, 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 walking distance of this marker: Bledsoe's Fort and Monument (a few steps from this marker); Fighting for a Way of Life (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bill "Hoss" Allen (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Frontiersman Settles in the Wilderness (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bledsoe's Fort Historical Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rogana (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hugh Rogan (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Traditional Irish Farmhouse (approx. 0.2 miles away).

Regarding Abraham “Abram” Bledsoe.
Abraham - Mulatto Slave
Written by Jay Guy Cisco
From "Historic Sumner County, Tennessee", 1909

"Another name that deserves to be remembered

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, December 21, 2024

2. Abraham “Abram” Bledsoe Marker

is that of Abraham, a mulatto belonging to Colonel Anthony Bledsoe. General Hall said of him: "He was a brave, active and intelligent fellow, and indeed a good soldier and marksman." He seems to have been a general favorite with the whites. He was ever ready and anxious for a brush with the Indians, and more than one of them met death before him unerring rifle. What became of him I am unable to say. Doubtless his remains were mingled with the soil he so bravely helped to defend, and from which he helped to clear the primitive forest. General Hall gives, in his "Narrative," the following example of the bravery of Abraham: "He was passing one evening from the Lick fort up to Greenfield, when right in the thick canebrake he met two Cherokee chiefs of note, "Mad Dog" and "John Taylor" the latter a half-breed, well known in Nashville before the war broke out, and who could talk good English. They had been on a visit to the Shawnees; and having sent on their warriors, they were on their way by themselves to steal horses and murder any settler who might fall in their way. Abraham met them about ten paces off, and instantly drawing up his gun,

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 11, 2021

3. Abraham “Abram” Bledsoe Marker

This view is of the marker's previous location, some yards north of the Bledsoe's Historical Park.

he shot Mad Dog dead in his tracks, turning himself at once and feeling after his exploit."

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,288 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 12, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 2. submitted on December 21, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 3. submitted on April 12, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.