Why Sam Houston Ran Away to Live with the Cherokee: A Wild Chapter in Tennessee History
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Four weeks after leaving Rockbridge, Virginia in the spring of 1807, walking numerous pathways and trails, the Houston family arrived in Greenback, Tennessee. Upon arrival in the Bakers Creek area, the family cleared a piece of land, planted a garden knowing they would need food to eat, and built a cabin. Mrs. Elizabeth’s oldest two sons died in the first two years they were in Tennessee; this left James and John to run the farm. Sam lost in his dream world felt so abused by his brothers James and John; he called them “The Holy Apostles.”
Sam rebelled and refused to follow their instructions. He would place a book in his back pocket as he left the cabin with an assigned chore, and when he thought no one was watching, he would sit down under a big tree and read; reading was Sam’s favorite activity. With eight brothers and sisters eagerly willing to tell their mother Mrs. Elizabeth that Sam was not doing his assigned chores on the farm, and they seemed to have more work to do; Mrs. Elizabeth realized she needed to try something different.
Mrs. Elizabeth owned half interest in a small general store in Maryville and made arrangements for young Sam to live with a family in town and work in the general store. Sam did very well for a few weeks as he could easily write in the ledger record book what was sold, how much was paid or owed (as a credit system was in place in most small stores during this time period for residents), place them in a wooden crate, and load them on the customer’s buck board wagons. Sam much preferred being outside rather than inside the store. One day some local Indian boys came into the store and began telling stories of excitement and adventure; Sam ran away with them. He lived with the Cherokee Indians three years on Hiawassee Island on the Tennessee River near present day Dayton, Tennessee; he liked their musical language in which he became fluent and the fact that no one insisted he work. He embraced the Cherokee showy formal dress and indulged in his growing like for liquor which grew into alcoholism. Cherokee Chief Ooleetehkah (John Jolly) adopted Sam as his son, and Sam was given the Cherokee name Colonneh (The Raven).
After several weeks Mrs. Elizabeth sent James and John to look for Sam. They found him siting on the bank of the river, leaning up against a tree, and reading The ILLIAD.
There are two versions of the brief conversation between brothers. 1) The brothers said: We have come to rescue you.” Sam’s reply: “Don’t need to be rescued.” 2) The brothers said: “We’ve found you.” Sam’s reply: “I am not lost, you can go back home.”
Sam was born in Virginia in 1793, moved to Tennessee in the spring of 1807 and grew up in the Tennessee wilderness. Sam lived, thrived, and survived on the frontier.