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MAJOR WILLIAM RUSSELL - COWAN’S FIRST SETTLER
(This article was written by Jim and Jenny Lou Brock and published in the May, 24, 1975 issue of the Cowan Bell) On the 28th of February, 1825, the following death notice appeared in the “Tuscumbian” newspaper, Tuscumbia, Alabama:
Died at his residence in this county, on Wednesday, the 16th Inst., Major William Russell, aged about 63 years. In the demise of this man society has lost an ornament, the poor of his neighborhood a kind benefactor, the survivors of his family an indulgent protector, and his country a patriot. On our western frontier from his boyhood the aboriginal enemies of his country always found him a vigilant and active opponent, but never an unrelenting victor. An officer in the late Creek and Seminole Wars, he had the friendship of commander and the love and respect of his men. These best exhibit his character as a soldier.
William Russell: Pioneer – Patriot – Soldier. He was destined to take a leading part in the settlement of two Franklin Counties: Franklin County, Tennessee, and Franklin County, Alabama.
Settling in the lower middle Tennessee area in 1800, while these lands were still owned by the Cherokee Indians, this pioneer became influential in the early development of this region. His landholdings included the majority of what is now the township of Cowan. When Franklin County was created in 1807, his home was designated by the Tennessee State Legislature as the place for holding courts, musters and courts martial. His son, Absolom, served as the first clerk of the county court until his death in 1813. The second clerk of the county court was Edmond Russell, who served in that office until 1884.
William Russell left behind and long and honorable record of volunteer service. He served under the command of his long-term friend, General Andrew Jackson, in the War of 1812 (Creek War) and the Seminole of 1818. Commanding a company of Tennessee Volunteer Mounted Spies, he was with Jackson at the Battle of Tohopeka or Horseshoe Bend. When the British threatened Pensacola, William Russell and Franklin County responded again. From the 28th of September, 1814, until the 27th of March, 1815, Major Russell commanded a battalion of Franklin Countians serving in this second war for independence.
When the war with the Creek nation ended and the the Alabama Territory was opened for settlement, Major Russell sold his land holdings here and pioneered the settlement of Franklin County, Alabama. The town of Russellville is named in his honor.
In 1844, Andrew Jackson wrote a letter to a son of Major Russell. This son, William Russell, Jr., had served as an officer with his father and General Jackson in the Creek War. Andrew Jackson’s letter to him recalls events of the War of 1812 and Jackson’s earliest recollections of friends in Tennessee. The letter, written from the Hermitage and dated July 8, 1844, reads in part:
I can assure you that I have note forgotten you nor the Beans. They were among my first acquaintances in Tennessee – amongst my first compatriots in arms and in the field, from whom I always and on the most trying occasions, received the most prompt and efficient aid – No My Dear Sir, I have not forgotten you, and as long as my faculty of recollection remains I cannot forget the Russells and the Beans. My memory was so gallantly leading on his company to battle and to victory – I never can forget him or your gallant brother who was wounded in the battle of Talladega and died of his wound – and the arduous and long, and gallant service of your father throughout the whole War - …
At the writing of this letter Andrew Jackson was approaching the end of his life. Though ill and debilitated, his recollections of his comrade in arms were sharp and clear. No better tribute could be paid to the memory of Major William Russell than these words of Andrew Jackson written so long ago. (J.L.B. & J.R.B.)
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