26 Facts About James Vann

James Vann encouraged the Moravians to establish a mission school on Cherokee land, and became a wealthy plantation owner and slave owner.

James Vann was born the oldest of three children, most likely in South Carolina near his father-in-law's trading post on the Savannah River.

The James Vann children were likely bilingual, learning some European-American culture from their father.

Wah-li later married Clement James Vann, who acted as a stepfather to the children.

James Vann managed to grab one small boy and pull him onto his saddle, only to have Doublehead smash the boy's skull with an axe.

James Vann called Doublehead "Babykiller" for the remainder of his life.

James Vann donated land for the mission school of the Moravian Brethren, which he had encouraged the Cherokee National Council to permit.

James Vann's father had earlier run a trading post on that site.

James Vann created a ferry across the nearby Conasauga River, and built a tavern and store nearby to supply locals and travelers.

James Vann owned Vann's ferry, which crossed the Chattahoochee River near present-day Atlanta on the road to the Lower Towns of the Muscogee.

James Vann held more than 100 slaves and hundreds of acres of plantation.

James Vann owned land at the mouth of Ooltewah Creek in present-day Hamilton County, Tennessee.

James Vann paid the annuity in full from his own funds and could wait for Meigs to pay him back after he had received the original annuity.

In national Cherokee politics, James Vann led the so-called "young chiefs" of the Overhill Towns, who rebelled against the oligarchy of those, primarily from the Lower Towns, referred to as the "old chiefs," who were led by Doublehead.

James Vann furnished the land and building for the Moravian school next to his home at Spring Place, Georgia.

James Vann was appointed but was said to be too drunk to participate.

James Vann was buried in or near Blackburn cemetery, Forsyth County, Georgia.

James Vann owned taverns, ferry boats, grist mills, and livestock.

James Vann brought European-American education into the Cherokee Nation with his support of the Moravian mission school.

James Vann urged adoption of European-style "civilization" for the positive aspects he observed.

James Vann was noted as having problems with alcohol, which became increasingly severe.

James Vann fought a notable duel with his brother-in-law John Falling, with both armed with muskets and on horseback.

James Vann was generous with his money to those in need, but ruthless to those who crossed him.

James Vann ordered a slave Isaac, caught stealing, to be burned alive.

James Vann's Nephew was David Vann an ancestor of Will Rogers.

Dee Alexander Brown wrote a novel based on a fictionalized version of James Vann's life, called Creek Mary's Blood.