Charles Robertson Grant Deed

The Charles Robertson Grant was for a large tract in what is now East Tennessee and Western North Carolina, some of which had been previously leased from the Cherokee.

The Charles Robertson Grant was one of five property transactions made at Sycamore Shoals in the present day city of Elizabethton, Tennessee.

The Great Grant provided for the sale of land in Central Kentucky to the Richard Henderson and Company and was transacted on March 17, 1775.

The Jacob Brown Grants provided for the sale of property included within the Nolichucky River watershed in present day Greene County Tennessee.

As Clerk who was appointed Trustee for the Watauga Association, Charles Robertson bought the property from the Cherokee for the sum of 2,000 British Pounds.

In the Journal of Dr Thomas Walker entry for March 31, 1749 – 1750,[13] he indicates discovery of abandoned Cherokee houses at the convergence of the north and south forks of the Holston River.

Old Book A Deed Book Page 1 This Indenture made this nineteenth day of March in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred and seventy five Between Oconistoto Chief Warrior and first representative of the Cherokee Nation or tribe of Indians & Attacullaculy & Savanucah otherwise Coronoh for themselves and the rest of the whole nation being Aborigines and sole owners by occupation from the beginning of time of the Lands on the waters of Holston & Wataugah rivers & other Lands & Territories thereunto belonging of the one part and Charles Robertson of the Settlement of Wataugah of the other part Witnesseth, that the said Oconistoto for himself and the rest of the said Nation of Indians for and in consideration of two thousand pounds of Lawful money of Great Brittain to them in hand paid by the said Charles Roberson the receipt whereof the said Oconostoto and the whole nation do and for themselves and their whole tribe of people have granted bargained and sold aliened enfeoff'd releas'd and confirmed and by these presents do grant bargain sell enfeoff release and confirm unto him the said Charles Robertson his heirs and assigns forever all that tract territory or parcel of Land on the waters of Wataugah, Holston and great Conaway or New River Beginning on the south or south west side of Holston River six English Miles above the Long Island in said river thence a direct line over a So.

Thence along the various courses of said ridge to the Virginia line thence West along the Virginia line to Holston river Deed Book Page 2 The Deed obtained from the thence down the meanders of Holston river to the first station including all the waters of Wataugah part of the waters of Holston and the head branches of New river or great Canaway agreeable to the bounds aforesaid, and also the reversion & reversions remainder & remainders, rents and issues thereof and all the Estate right title Interest claim and demand whatsoever of them the said Oconistoto and the aforesaid whole band or tribe of people in and to the same premises & of in and to the every part and parcel thereof.

To have and to hold the said message and territory and all the singular the premises above mentioned with the appurtenances unto the said Charles Roberson his heirs and assigns in severalty and tenants in common and not as Joint to the only proper use and behoof of the said Charles Robertson his heirs and assigns forever under the yearly rent of four pence or to beholden of the Chief Lords or Lords of the Fee of the premises by the rents and services therefore due and of right accustomed, and the said Oconistoto and the said Nation for themselves do covenant and grant to and with the said Charles Robertson his heirs and assigns that they the said Oconistoto and the rest of the said Nation of people now are lawfully and rightfully seized in their own right of a good sure perfect and absolute and indefeasible estate of Inheritance in fee simple of and in all and singular the said Messuage territory and premises above mentioned and of all & every part and parcel thereof with the appurtenances with out any manner of condition mortgage limitation of use or uses or other matter cause or thing to alter change charge or Deed Book Page 3 Cherokees for the Wataugah Purchase determine the same and also that the Oconistoto and the aforesaid Nation now have good full power and lawful Authority in their own right to grand bargain & sell and convey the said messuage territory and premises above mentioned with the appurtenances unto the said Charles Robertson his heirs and assigns according to the true intent and meaning of these presents and also the said Charles Robertson his heirs and assigns shall and may from time to time and at all times hereafter peaceably and quietly have hold possess and enjoy all and singular the said premises above mentioned to be hereby granted with the appurtenances, without the trouble hindrance molestation interruption and denial of them the said Oconistoto and the rest or any of the said nation their heirs or assigns and of all and every other person and persons whatsoever claiming or to claim by power or under them or any of them; and lastly the said Oconistoto Atticullicully Savenuka otherwise Coronoh for themselves and in behalf of the whole nation and their heirs and all and every other person and persons and his and their heirs anything having or claiming in the said Messuage territory and persons above mentioned or any part thereof by power or under them shall and will at all times hereafter, at the request and costs of the said Charles Roberson his heirs or assigns make do and execute or cause or procure to be made done or executed all and every further and other lawful and reasonable grants, acts and appurtenances in the law whatsoever for the further better and the more perfect granting conveying and assuring of the Deed Book Page 4 Deed Obtained from the Indians said premises hereby granted with the appurtenances unto the said Charles Robertson his heirs and assigns to the only proper use and behoof of the said Charles Roberson his heirs and assigns forever according to the true intent and meaning of these presents ratifying and confirming and allowing all and whatsoever he shall do in the premises.

In Witness whereof the said Oconistoto Attacullicully & Savanuka other wise Coronoh for themselves and in behalf of the whole Nation hath here unto set their hands and affixed their seals the day and year first written.

[15] The Royal Proclamation of 1763 by King George III prohibited settlement of the lands west of the Alleghenies which formed the Eastern Continental Divide.

In anticipation of the various land transactions eventually made at Sycamore Shoals in March 1775, North Carolina Governor Martin issued a proclamation in February 1775 in opposition.

[18] Subsequently in accord with Virginia and the voices of the Watauga settlers demanding clarification of the boundaries, North Carolina nullified the Transylvania Colony and asserted sovereignty over the western territory.

Subsequently, in 1778, land offices were opened, and procedures established for the settlers to obtain permanent North Carolina sanctioned ownership and titled.