Downtown in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Colonel John Donelson
Photographed By Shane Oliver, December 4, 2021
1. Colonel John Donelson Marker
the services of
Colonel John Donelson
Born in Delaware, 1718.
Died in Kentucky 1786.
Distinguished in early life in Virginia as a civil, industrial and military leader.
Member of the House of Burgesses, iron manufacturer, Lieutenant Colonel of Pittsylvania County and devoted vestryman of Camden Parish.
Noted surveyor of state boundaries, maker of treaties with the Indians, and revolutionary patriot. Emigrated west in 1779-1780. A leader and "Diarist" of the settlers going by water in; "The good boat adventure from Fort Patrick Henry to the French Salt Spring on Cumberland River."
Founder of Donelson's Station on Stone's River 1780.
One of the commissioners holding treaty with the Chickasaw Indians near Nashborough, 1783.
Member of "The Tennessee Land Company" projecting a settlement in the "Great Bend" of Tennessee River, 1785.
Lost his life—supposed to have been murdered by the Indian—near Big Barren River, Kentucky, 1786.
of his fellow citizens, but more excellent
at home in the family circle" (Putnam)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers
this page online
Location. 36° 9.844′ N, 86° 46.52′ 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. 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. River Cane (here, next to this marker); The Bluff Station (a few steps from this marker); Native American Plaza (a few steps from this marker); The First Peoples (a few steps from this marker); Fort Nashborough (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cumberland Settlements (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cumberland Compact (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonel Richard Henderson (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.
Photographed By Shane Oliver, December 31, 2021
2. Current Location of Colonel John Donelson Marker
Unfortunately, part of Fort Nashborough has become a homeless camp.
Photographed By Shane Oliver, December 4, 2021
3. Colonel John Donelson Marker
In 2015, Fort Nashborough was demolished and rebuilt. The newly-reconstructed Fort Nashborough opened in 2017, and the marker was moved behind the chimney on the center-right side of the photo.
Photographed By Denise Boose, July 11, 2012
4. Former location of the Colonel John Donelson Marker
Photographed By Denise Boose, July 11, 2012
5. Former location of the Colonel John Donelson Marker
Photographed By Denise Boose, July 11, 2012
6. Colonel John Donelson Marker
Photographed By Denise Boose, July 11, 2012
7. Colonel John Donelson Marker
Photographed By Denise Boose, July 11, 2012
8. Colonel John Donelson Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 1,277 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 26, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on December 31, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on December 26, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 10, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
