Cumberland Compact facts for kids
The Cumberland Compact was an important agreement made by early settlers in the area that is now Nashville, Tennessee. It was signed on May 13, 1780, by pioneers led by James Robertson and John Donelson. This document helped set up rules for the new community they were building near the Cumberland River. It was also inspired by an earlier agreement called the Articles of the Watauga Association. The Cumberland Compact is considered a key document that helped shape the Tennessee State Constitution much later.
The only known copy of the Cumberland Compact was found in 1846. It was in a trunk that belonged to an early pioneer named Colonel Samuel Barton. This copy is now kept safe at the Tennessee State Archives. Even though it has some damage, you can still read most of it clearly.
Contents
What Was the Cumberland Compact?
The Cumberland Compact was like a first constitution for the settlers. It was written and signed by 256 colonists. One person, James Patrick, couldn't write his name, so he marked it with an "X".
How Did the Government Work?
The Compact created a governing council of 12 judges. These judges were chosen by a vote of free men who were 21 years old or older. What was special for that time was that the Compact allowed the people to remove judges from office if they weren't doing a good job.
How Were Leaders Paid?
Instead of money, government leaders were paid with animal skins! For example:
- Governors received 1,000 deer skins.
- Secretaries received 450 otter skins.
- County clerks received 500 raccoon skins.
- Constables (like police officers) received one mink skin for each official paper they delivered.
Who Protected the Community?
All males aged 16 or older had to join the local militia. This meant they were ready to help defend the settlement if needed.
Rules and Justice in the Frontier
The Cumberland Compact created a system of rules for the settlers. It also limited how much punishment the judges could give out. For very serious crimes, the person accused would be sent to North Carolina for a proper trial. The Compact stayed in effect until Tennessee became a state.
Early Justice in Nashville
Life on the frontier had its own way of dealing with rules. In 1788, a famous person named Andrew Jackson was allowed to practice law in Nashville. He quickly became a prosecuting attorney, meaning he helped bring people to court for breaking laws.
By 1800, the first divorce was officially granted between May and Nathaniel Parker. This shows how the community was growing and developing its own legal system.
Who Signed the Compact?
A total of 256 people signed the Cumberland Compact. Here are some of the names:
- Philip Alston
- Colonel Samuel Barton
- John Blakemore Sr.
- John Blakemore Jr.
- Isaac Bledsoe
- John Donelson
- Andrew Ewing
- Kasper Mansker
- John Montgomery
- James Robertson
- Frederick Stump
- James Patrick (who signed with an X)
- Richard Henderson
- And many others who helped build the early community.
