1786 - Peter Looney (son of Peter Looney who had been captured by Indians, but lived to tell about it. Died soon after his son born. In company of militia with Benjamin Looney, John Looney, and Captain David Looney 1776-1777 Fincastle Co., VA) - owned land adjacent to henry Turney in the state of North Carolina. (later eastern TN). From the book Smith County Tennessee History, henry Turney and Peter Looney were among the settlers who were entitled to right of preemption to land under the provisions of the act of 1782 and 1783. Others on this list were James and Mark Robertson, John Brown, Stephen Ray, and WILLIAM OVERALL. Nashville: The Cumberland Settlements, stretching about forty miles along the river, centering around Fort Nashborough, were not egalitarian enterprises, but were characterized by having had from the beginning a definite leadership. These pioneers had no doubts as to the blessings of government and they stated as much. However, these Scotch-Irish and Germans had no illusions as to power, which they took pains to channel, define, and make responsible. To James Robertson (born in Virginia, June 28, 1742), fell the responsibility of leading the military and governmental services.....Thus the revolutionary settlements had to treat with the Indians, and also with the Spanish, who were to the South; for some years, Middle Tennessee was "The mero District", a misspelling of a Spanish royal governor's name, which was Miro. Finally, on April 19, 1784, North Carolina's legislature passed an Act for the Relief of Sundry Petitioners Inhabitants of Davidson County, completing the circle, and, be it noted, endowing the settlers with the same rights as those of soldiers. The only fountain-head of law which could have operated, therefore, accepted these people as full patriots. They extended the area of an un-born nation. Among those receiving rights of pre-emption under Chapter LXIII, Act, April Session, were John Cockrill, Robert Espey, James Espey, John Buchanan, Cornelius Reddle, James Muljerrin, James Todd, Isaac Johnston, John Givson, Francis Armstrong, John Kennedy, Jr., Mark Robertson, William Ellis, James Thompson, James Shaw, James Franklin, Henry Howdeshall, Pierce Castello, Morris Skean, William Logan, David Flood, John White, Peter Looney, William Collins, Jonas Menifee, Daniel Williams, John Evans, Andrew Thompson, Gasper Mansker, George Freeland, Daniel Johnston, Edward Swanson, Andrew Kellow, Francis Hodge, John Mulherrin, James Freeland, John Tucker, James Foster, Amos Heaton, Dennis Condry, Frederick Stump, Russell Gower, Andrew Erlin or Erwin, Thomas Rater, Isaac Lindsey, Moses Winters, James Harris, John Brown, Lewis Crane, John Montgomery, Stephen Ray, Daniel Hogan, Thomas Spencer, Humphrey Hogan, Hayden Wells, Henry Ramsey, John Barrow, John Thomas, William Stewart, Samuel Walker, David Rouncevall, Arthur McAdoo, James McAdoo, HENRY TURNEY, Samuel Barton, John Dunham, Ephraim Prat, WILLIAM OVERALL, and James Robertson. (These had settled on the land prior to June 1, 1780 - 63 settlers killed by the Indians in 1782 and 1783 were represented by their heirs. They paid no price for the land except entry and survyors fees). My Henry Turney from State of North Carolina No. 176 10 Oct 1783 from Gov Alix Martin rec. tract of land. I have also seen were the heirs of a Turner rec. land. A Wm. Summers I think went from Holston River area with Henry Turney and William Overall, but think when the fighting began he went back into KY to safety so did not get any of the original pre-emptors land? If Henry Turneys wife was a Sommer/Summer, this William might have been a relative. Some of the Summers lived near a Dr Denton in Shenandoah Co Va. There are two listings in Shenandoah Co Va for a John Overall - one as a saw mill owner and another as a grist mill owner. Henry Turney grew up south of Woodstock in Shenandoah Co Va. Several Sommer/Summers in area. In early Washington Co Va records - would now be eastern TN, say area around Bristol TN......Henry Turney owned land next to Evan Shelby. Also another property line was shared with a Roger Top/Topp. he was in court with Topp over that line. Later a Roger Top/Topp in Davidson Co NC records, also early settler by that name killed by Indians near Ft Nashborough. seems maybe a father and son with same name to me. Could Topp be another of the German speaking people from Holston River area who went to Ft Nashborough? A William Overall died in King George County, VA in 1726. Abraham and Hannah Leath Overall were the ones who came into TN. he was an officer in War of 1812. he died in 1844 in Smith Co or DeKalb Co TN. PREEMPTORS OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE: by irene Griffey January 13th 1783 William Overall obtained a Pre emption of 640 acres of land lying on the East fork of Mill Creek abt 8 miles from the French lick about one mile below an Improvement made by Joseph Denton beginning at the Creek abt. 600 yds above an Improvement at a Spring marked N O running East from the Creek thence down the Creek for Complt. January 16th 1783 William Overall assee of Russell Gower obtained a pre emptn of 640 acres of land lying on the right hand of a Buffaloe road leading from Roger Top's Claim to the head waters of a branch of the West fork of Mill Creek on the East side includ'g a Spring & beech marked W O beg'ing 400 yds North of sd Spring running East half a mile thence So. &c for Complt. There was a John Overall with son William Overall born about 1750 in Frederick Co., VA. They went to KY with George Rogers Clark in 1778/79. (this from an Overall researcher) So in my mind, I have Henry Turney, William Overall, Roger Topp, and Wm. Summers maybe traveling together to Ft Nashborough. Probably began around March 1780, were there by 1 June 1780. Were they all German speaking? Is that why it has been difficult to find mention of them in early records? saw a mention that a Mansker's Station had Germans living there who spoke little English. Anyway, they were there. Mary [email protected]