On December 22, 1779, the first 300 settlers of MiddleTennessee set out from Fort Patrick Henry under the leadership of Col. John Donelson. Their objective was Big Salt Lick on the Cumberland River, the future site of Nashville.
After traveling only 3 miles, the expedition was stopped by low water and heavy frost at Tilthammer Shoals near the mouth of Reedy Creek.
The party camped here for two months, then finally arrived at Big Salt Lick on April 24, 1780 after a 1000-mile journey. The party included Donelson’s daughter Rachel, the future wife of President Andrew Jackson.
