27 Facts About Henry Timberlake

Henry Timberlake was a colonial Anglo-American officer, journalist, and cartographer.

Henry Timberlake was born in the Colony of Virginia and died in England.

For instance, during the Tellico Archaeological Project prior to construction of the Tellico Dam, which included a series of salvage excavations conducted in the lower Little Tennessee River basin in the 1970s, archaeologists used Henry Timberlake's map, known as Draught of the Cherokee Country, to help locate major Overhill village sites.

Henry Timberlake was born in Hanover County, Virginia to Francis and Sarah Timberlake.

The Dictionary of American Biography says that Henry Timberlake was born in 1730; Henry Timberlake's age as recorded on his marriage license implies that he was born in 1735.

The senior Henry Timberlake had traveled to Virginia from England, trading and acquiring property there and in Bermuda.

In 1756, at the outset of the French and Indian War, Henry Timberlake joined a Virginia militia company known as the "Patriot Blues".

In 1758, Henry Timberlake successfully applied for a commission in Colonel William Byrd's recently formed 2nd Virginia Regiment.

Henry Timberlake was accompanied by Sergeant Thomas Sumter, an interpreter named John McCormack, and an unnamed servant.

Henry Timberlake described an incident in which Sumter swam nearly a half-mile in near-freezing river waters to retrieve their canoe, which had somehow drifted away while they were exploring the cave.

Henry Timberlake said he found this practice "very disagreeable," but he took part without openly complaining.

Henry Timberlake recalled that the dancers were "painted all over in a hideous manner" and that they "danced in a very uncommon figure".

Henry Timberlake spent the next few weeks studying Cherokee habits and making notes for his map of the Overhill country.

Just before departure, Henry Timberlake witnessed the ceremonial return of a war party led by Chief Willinawaw.

The Henry Timberlake party decided to make the return trip overland, having purchased horses from the Cherokee.

Henry Timberlake was deeply disappointed to find that his trunk had been looted, and most of his goods had been stolen.

Henry Timberlake was appointed by Jeffery Amherst, who had been promoted to Crown Governor of Virginia, as a lieutenant in the "42nd or Royal Highland Regiment of foot".

Henry Timberlake left the militia and returned home to Virginia to petition the General Assembly to compensate him for his expenses for the journey, but was denied.

The governor denied their request, but Henry Timberlake agreed to help them.

Henry Timberlake accompanied three Cherokee to London in the fall of 1764.

Henry Timberlake was accused of attempting to profit off the public attention given to the Cherokee.

Shortly after their departure, Henry Timberlake was arrested for failing to pay the debt for the last bill for lodging of himself and the Cherokee.

Henry Timberlake had fathered a son named Richard Henry Timberlake, by one of Ostenaco's daughters, Sakinney.

Henry Timberlake described Cherokee government as a "mixed aristocracy and democracy," with chiefs chosen on the basis of merit.

Henry Timberlake described Cherokee methods for building canoes and dwellings, and the general size and form of Cherokee summer and winter houses.

Henry Timberlake's map, entitled A Draught of the Cherokee Country, was published to accompany the journal.

Henry Timberlake's Memoirs is still considered one of the best contemporary accounts of the 18th-century Cherokee.