John Hunt was a very prominent person in early GRAINGER and CLAIBORNE County history, and a citizen of Tazewell. Note here that he used the address as Russell's Creek, which is the present day site of Tazewell. John Hunt was the first sherriff of Claiborne County and was instrumental in securing Tazewell as the County Seat. -------------------- 17th. of July 1797 Jn. Hunt in behalf of the Inhabitants of Powells Valley His Excellency John Seveir Govenor in & over the State of tennecey. Rusels Creek, Powels Valy, Granger County Monday the 17th. of July 1797 Dr./ Sir: After my kind complyments to youe these may informe youe that the people living In this County on the north Side of Clinch River Is Struk with a grate Surprise in regard of the Commisioners Coming upon us to run the line Betwixt us and the Indeans tribs which wee learn the have not got the Corcess of Campbles Line nor did not know where to find it and is not going to Run the linne according to the treaty of Congreess which the are oblledge to run the line agreeable to the Last treaty maid by Congreess and if the dow not run agreeable to them lines maid by Congress the people on the north side of Clinch River Is to a man determined to stop them from running the line that governor Blount maid in his treaty with the Indians now we want to see if you can dow nothing for us we expect and hope that youe will talk to the Commisonors whither or not the lines that was maide by Congress or the lines that was maide by Blount Should be the line now to be Run We want your E! xcellencey to give us your advice and what is Best for us to dow in this Case as we think it is a very hard on us if in case the line should be rune it will Cut us off from Both Law and liverty and be sides tacke our Lands and living from us and we trust and hope as youe have Been always a friend and a good friend have youe Been to us we umbly pray that youe will dow all youe Can for us as we Bought our Lands paid deer for it Both by the Sword propertity and money and to be turnd off froom our Lands and livings like a perceel of heathens will Look very un human and I expect will Cause a revelution But I would wich that might not be the Case. But if it is the case that we are turnd of our Lands it will be attended with a Bad Concequence. I shall omit and rest the matter with your Excellencey in hops youe will give us a answer with the Beaver Mr. Snider in what Shape is Best for us to dow. I am with asteem your Cencer friend and well wicher John Hunt --- To your Excellencey John Seveir govenor In and Over the State of tannecy ---- handed by Mr. Snider ------ ----------------------- ---------------------