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Downtown in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
 

The Cumberland Compact

Fort Nashborough

 
 
The Cumberland Compact Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Shane Oliver, December 4, 2021
1. The Cumberland Compact Marker
Inscription. On May 1, 1780, a meeting was called at the Bluff Station to consider an "Article of Agreement" to create a provisional government in the settlement. The document, commonly known as the Cumberland Compact, was authored by Richard Henderson, the settlement's primary investor. On May 13, 248 settlers signed the agreement. It remained in effect until Tennessee became a state in 1796.

The Cumberland Compact called for the election of 12 representatives, a "Tribunal of Notables," from the eight stations - Nashborough/Bluff, Mansker, Bledsoe, Asher, Stone, Freeland, Heaton, Ft. Union - that existed at the time. The tribunal dispensed justice, received and dispersed funds, settled claims, and regulated the land office. Government salaries were to be paid in goods. The Governorship was paid 1,000 deer skins. The Secretary received 450 otter skins, and county clerk was valued at 500 raccoon skins.

The Compact also set the parameters for the formation of a militia that consisted of all men over the age of 16 who were healthy enough to serve. Only a small part of the document, however, was devoted to governance. Instead, its most important feature was establishing a legal framework for land transfers. For instance, it dictated the grounds by which title to Native American land would be conveyed to the new settlers.

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a Lost Artifact


In 1846, the only surviving copy of the Cumberland Compact was found in a trunk that once belonged to Samuel Barton. Barton signed the Compact and was elected to one of the inaugural seats on the tribunal.

The first page of the document is lost. The second and third pages are damaged. All that remains intact are the pages where Nashville's first settlers signed their names.

(Image Caption):
Henderson, Robertson, and Donelson were all present at the signing.

 
Erected 2017 by Metro Parks Nashville.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial EraSettlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is May 1, 1780.
 
Location. 36° 9.864′ N, 86° 46.53′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Downtown. Marker is on 1st Avenue North, 0.1 miles north of Broadway (U.S. 70), on the right when traveling north. Located on the grounds of the reconstructed Fort Nashborough. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 170 1st Ave N, Nashville TN 37201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Colonel Richard Henderson (here, next to this marker); The Cumberland Settlements (a few steps from this marker); Fort Nashborough (a few steps from this marker); The Bluff Station
The Cumberland Compact Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Shane Oliver, December 20, 2021
2. The Cumberland Compact Marker
(within shouting distance of this marker); River Cane (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonel John Donelson (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Peoples (within shouting distance of this marker); Native American Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.
 
More about this marker. In 2015, the previous Fort Nashborough reproduction was torn down and rebuilt. The new Fort Nashborough replica opened in 2017, with new interpretive markers. As of 2021, none of the buildings at the reproduction fort are open, and thus a visit to Fort Nashborough simply entails viewing a few historical markers and the exterior of a few log buildings.
 
Reproduction Fort Nashborough image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Shane Oliver, December 4, 2021
3. Reproduction Fort Nashborough
“The Cumberland Compact” marker can be seen to the left. To the right is “The Cumberland Settlements” marker.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 23, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 481 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on December 24, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.

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Apr. 10, 2024