Maj. James Tate
Born in 1778 in Big Moccasin Creek, a spur of Clinch Mountain on the Holston River, some 15 miles from Lebanon, Russell County, VA. Son of Robert and Mary Tate. Here he grew up and married Ruth Davidson, daughter of James Davidson (Davison) of Russell and Scott Counties, VA (1826 Scott County, VA Wills), in 1798. It is believed that he migrated to Warren County, TN before his father died in 1806 with Ruth and children.
In 1806 he met with some of his brothers (he and four of his brothers, Aaron, Alexander, John and Robert, are listed on the 1820 Warren County, TN tax rolls) and others to petition for a New County where they lived, consequently in 1807 Warren County was organized. James and his brother Robert settled in a remote section of the County, on Taylor Creek, until after he married his second wife (Elizabeth Smith) and moved to the mountains, in what later became Grundy County, TN. He accumulated a considerable amount of land (over 20,000 acres) in the valley, as well as on the Cumberland Plateau where he maintained a distillery. (Warren County was a major producer of apple brandy during his lifetime.)
He served in the War of 1812 at the rank of Captain, later promoted to Major and was known as Major Tate from that time on. He served as a Justice of the Peace for Warren County and was prominent in business and public affairs. Warren County Militiamen in the Creek Indian Wars of 1814, Captain James Tait's (Tate) Company, Col. Stephen Copeland's 3rd West Tennessee Regiment, General Thomas Johnson Brigade. The Creek Indian Wars of 1814 were classified by the U. S. Government as a "sub-war' of the War of 1812. Several militia companies were organized from the area of Warren County, TN and it's adjacent counties, including that of Capt. James Tait. Not only did Capt. Tait muster and pay rolls survive, but so did his personal pay voucher which specified dates, actual miles travelled and locations. The militia records of 1814 are particularly valuable to researchers because so many of these men were under 20 years of age--too young to have appeared on the 1812 Warren County tax lists, and often gone by 1820. The following is an exact transcription from the original records:
Voucher: The United States to James Tait, Capt.
For transporting 1100 lbs. his private baggage as a Captain in the Regiment of West Tennessee Militia, commanded by Col. Stephen Copeland composing part of Genl. Thos. Johnson's brigade; ordered into service of the United States, on an expedition against the hostile Creek Indians from the 28th Jan to the 18th day of May 1814 viz.
From Fort deposit (?) to Fort Strother 53
From Thence to Fort Williams 59
From thence to Tahopehsa & back to Ft. Williams 105
From Ft. Williams on ti---m March
by way of Caharvlea (?) to Fort Deposit (?) 157
From thence Fayetteville the primary
place of rendevious 57
Miles --------miles is 431
$34.48
Less $ 4.24
/s/James Tait $30.24
I do swear that the witin account is just and true, and that I performed the different marches, agreeable to the distance herein charged; and that on no part of the said several routes and distances was I allowed any public transportation whatever, for my private baggage allowed me as a Captain owing to a deficiency of the public means of transportation (sic) in said regiment or brigade, and that I have never received any money or other compensation from the United States in lieu thereof, or any part thereof herein charged, to the best of my knowledge and belief.
James Tate Capt.
Sate of Tennessee
Warren Caunty (sic)
Sworn to and subscribed before me
this 9th day of Jan 1817
John Cunningham
Justis of the peace
I certify that James Tait (sic) who filed this Claim served a Captain in the Regiment under my command which Regiment composed a part of Genl. Thomas Johnstons Brigad of West Tennessee Militia in the service of the United States and that he performed the different marches as herein charged or stated.
Signed Stephen Copeland - Col
Recd. May 22nd 1818 of Howell Tatum agent for the department of War, Thirty dollars and Twenty four cents in full for this acct.
Signed James Tait
Test H L A (?) Gamble
He and Ruth Davidson had thirteen children. They were divorced before February 23, 1829 when he married Elizabeth Smith. He and Elizabeth were the parents of five children.
That he was the son of Robert and Mary Tate of Russell Co. VA was recited in a deed dated October 14, 1816, Russell Co., VA, when the heirs of Robert Tate decided to dispose of certain land. James and wife Ruth; John and wife Dicey; Robert and wife Susannah; Alexander and wife Delilah and Mary "Polly" and husband Marady Price, met and sold the land to their brother Joseph Tate. The mother Mary who was also in Warren Co., TN, signed her dower to the son Joseph Tate who remained on the old plantation in Russell Co., VA.
Major James Tate also executed a will. He died testate April 19, 1849, buried in Philadelphia Cemetery, 13 miles south of McMinnville, TN. The will was contested, went to the Supreme Court of TN. The widow, Elizabeth received most of the estate. However, all of the children were named. Robert and Davidson Tate were named administrators.
