John Montgomery (pioneer)

Col. John Montgomery (c. 1750-1794) was an early American colonel, settler, and explorer. He is credited with founding the city of Clarksville, Tennessee, and has the county of Montgomery County, Tennessee named for him.

He was born into a Scottish family which immigrated to Virginia in the 17th century.

In 1771, Montgomery first entered the area of the Cumberland River. Much was learned in the expedition, but Indians forced the explorers back to Virginia.

During the Revolutionary War, Montgomery served under General George Rogers Clark to fight against the British. Under Clark's orders, Montgomery captured several Indian tribes to prevent the British from gathering them together to attack the colonies, and thus severely inhibited the British's chances to do so. For the remainder of war, he ran supplies between New Orleans and Clark's army in the north.

Montgomery explored the area of the county that bears his name in 1775 with Kasper Mansker while on a hunting expedition. In 1784, Montgomery purchased the land at the confluence of the Cumberland and Red Rivers from the North Carolina for 100 British pounds and founded Clarksville. In 1789, he and surveyor Martin Armstrong persuaded lawmakers to establish Clarksville as a tobacco inspection point. Montgomery became the first sheriff of the district.

In the 1780s, he signed the Cumberland Compact and in 1793, commanded territorial troops in the Nickajack Expedition against Creek Indians.

Montgomery was killed near Eddy Creek, Kentucky on November 27, 1794 by an Indian ambush while hunting.

He is memorialized as a statue near Clarksville's Public Square.

External link

• Virtual Clarksville