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History of American Thoroughbred Fifth Installment. On the first settlement of Tennessee, previous to its admission as a state into the Union, the early settlers began taking with them excellent stock from Virginia and Maryland, and the blood of Janus, Jolly Roger, Mortons Traveller, Parcolet and other worthies of olden times has been the foundation of the noble steeds which have since attained greatness on the American turf. It has always been a gallant and sporting state. I feel proud and happy to be allowed the opportunity of presenting to my readers a most valuable memoir of the blood of its best equine families, considerately and kindly compiled for me from his own memoranda of old times and from personal recollection of events, even before General Jackson and his contemporaries were on the turf, by a veteran turfman and hereditary breeder, William Williams. EAltLY TENNESSEE THOROUGHBREDS. Popular Grove, near Nashville, Tenn. March 20, 185G. Sir I had written to General Harding, in answer to his, enclosing your circular; and in answer to yours to me, refer to my old memoranda and make some additions. The first settlers brought here some of their best stock from Virginia and the Caro-linas. Maclin had, as I am informed, some Mexican mares of the Spanish or Barb breed. The early stallions here of the Janus family were Jupiter, said to be sired by a son of Harry Hills Janus, owned by Cross, and Comet, sired by another son of Janus, owned by Lewis. Both were said to have a Marc Anthony and Jolly Roger cross. Other stallions were Sterne, owned by Blakemore, and Bowies horse, which took his owners name, pronounced Biu-ey his colts are said to have been unequaled as quarter-horses; Bompard, by imported Obscurity, dam by Baylors Fearnought; Phoenix, by imported Venetian Zenobia, by Don Carlos. The early stallions of the Fearnought family were Eclipse, presumably by Harris Virginia Eclipse, the property of B. Bosley; Weakleys Wildair, by Symmes Wildair, foaled by a Fearnought, and Col. E. Wards Bucephalus, of a later period. Of the Medley family there was Fitz Medley, which was at stud for a season or two and died at I. Hoopers in 1803-04. Thus far from such information as I credited. GREY MEDLEYS GOOD SERVICE. About 1800 Dr. Barrys Grey Medley, bred by Governor Williams of North Carolina, was in Sumner and his game appearance was widely remarked. He lived to old age and did good service. Other stallions here were Cooks Bel Air. by Tayloes Bel Air, dam by Hickmans Independence, and Halcots Bay. Of the Celer family, McKinneys roan, I am informed, was at Fosters about 1805, as was J. Thompsons Celer, by a Bel Air and Wildair in 1S0C. Coeur-de-Lion and Royalist, of the most approved English breeds, were here and did good service. The first the property of the writer of this letter died in the autumn of 1809 and the last, the property of Hal Cook, died in the spring of 1S14. The latter was imported to New York, sold to Kentucky, brought to Tennessee by Weakley and Co., probably sent south a season or two and brought back by Cook. Truxton, one of imported Diomeds best, was raised here by General Jackson. He was put to stud for many seasons and sent south in 1808. Wilkes Wonder, another of Diomeds best, was here, alternately in Sumner and Williamson. He sired Oscar, a capital racer and good stallion. He died of colic on the road in February, 1815. Oscar was bred by Parson H. Saunders His dam was Rosy Clark, by Saltram. He was brought on the turf by Dr. Lappington and beat all competitors with ease. He was then put to stud several seasons and sold to Gen. Desha. He died in November, 1825. Dungannon, in Sumner, and Volunteer, in Rutherford, were said to be Imported when colts. I cannot fix the date, however. The first sired some good stock. OTHER GOOD EARLY SIRES. Brian OLinn was at J. Shutes in 1811-12. He was a handsome stallion and sired Stump the Dealer. Dragon, a great celebrity in England, was at Fosters in 1S11-12. He died, I was informed, of a thigh broken by a kick. He sired some good stock. Tup was also at Fosters, whether before or after the last date. I cannot say. He was by Javeline and of good action, but blind, and not much patronized. Collector was here a season or two and, though old, left some stock. He died of a fall on the ice in the winter of 1814. He was by Marc Antony Lady-legs, by Snap-Dragon. Imported Boaster was here two or three seasons. He had a fine coat and good form. He died in 1819, I think, at J. Hardings. Pacolet, a beautiful gray, by imported Citizen and foaled by Epps marc, dam of Won-der, was brought here to beat Ilaynes Maria. He did not do that, nor would any other horse brought here have done it, for she had beaten with ease all rivals. She was by imported Diomed and her dam was a highlv-formed mare by Bel Air. Pacolet was then advertised by J. Jackson and T. Childers and, after some years, was sent south under the supervision of J. W. Clay. His progeny, Brushy-mountain, foaled by Wonder, and Cumberland, foaled by Jacksons Daredevil mare, became distinguished. Colonel Elliott brought him back to Sumner, where he stood until his death, in October, 1S25. He also sired Murphys Pacolet, foaled by Jerry, a Coeur-de-Lion, and the distinguished Morgiana, foaled by Black Sophia. The latter was by Top-gallant, son of Gallatin. His progeny also included Williamsons Pacolet; Massena, foaled by Ragland Diomed, and the brothers, Tonson, Sir Richard, Henry and Champion, foaled by tha Virginia-bred Boswell Johnsons mare, and stated by him to be full bred. Tonson beat everything in Tennessee in his day and afterward, at Boydton, beat the celebrated Sally Walker against all of Colonel W. R. Johnsons skill and management. Sir Richard was the most beautiful horse that could be led on a show ground. He was a good racer, at light weight, and game but rather delicate. The two last were colts of form and substance, but not so good nor so fortunate as their elder brothers. Pacolet died at Colonel Elliotts stables in October, 1825. Suwarrow came from Kentucky with or a little before Pacolet. He was pretty and home-bred. Barksdales Grey Diomed, Second Diomed, Raglands Diomed, Constitution, Diomedon, Hixs Wonder and others of less note all were here. Contemporary with these was Bagdad, sold by the Minister to England from Tripoli to George Barclay, originally exported to New York and brought here in 1823. He was vouched for in a certificate in French, asserting his pure Arabian blood. He died in February, 1836, leaving some good stock, which was more remarkable for speed than bottom. Contemporary with him, of the Sir Archy stock, stood Grey Archy, Timoleon and Pacific, at Sumners; Napoleon, at Colonel Elliotts ; Stockholder and Crusader, at Parson Cryers ; Rattler in Rutherford ; Contention in Williamson ; Sir William and Arab, both of which I saw in Nashville. Carolinian was at Nashville for one season with others of less distinction. Stockholder and Pacific were, I think, the favorites. The first sired Betsy Malone and others I cannot name. The latter sired Red-doe, Pactolus, etc., for Sumner and the distinguished mare Gamma and her brother Epsilon, for General Harding. The latter met with an accident in a private trial, but was successfully put to stud. Indeed, in him the beauty of Richard and the strength of Pacific were combined in an eminent degree. LEVIATHAN SIRED FIRST-CLASS RACE The Sir Archys bring me down to the later importations, and, as General Harding is more conversant with them, I will close with the remark that imported Leviathan by J. Jackson sired more first-class racers in his day than any horse since Sir Archy; that Glencoe, riot often, but at the times , when the cross hit, sired capital racers, espe-j cially at long distances, and that Priam, one of Merritt and Co.s importations, was the most I superb large horse I ever saw. I Citizen, sent to North Carolina by Gen. I Carney, had more accurate proportions and higher finish a gamer Arabian look and carriage than any native horse I have had! the pleasure to look upon. Pacolet had an Arabian air, but wanted something of his sires finish in the shoulder. Yet his proud and lofty bearing sustained him in com- petition with the best English horses here of. his day Boaster, Eagle and the best Vir-ginia-breds. He imparted symmetry and fin-j ish and gameness and fine temper to liis stock. Pacific sired also John Dawson, foaled by Grey Archy, a sister to Brushy-mountain. ! He was a superb, large horse and a good runner. He was splendid on parade. I N. Swiss was one season at Sumners with Pacific, and OKelly was in Nashville about. 1835. Most probably there were others, not found in this communication, that have been1 here or in adjoining counties, that have had. some influence. Conqueror, fine and well-bred, was here and in Williamson and should not be omitted, though I cannot fix the time. Bluster was imported here in 1826 and died in Williamson in 1878-9. , WILL WILLIAMS. ANOTHER COMMUNICATION. Poplar Grove, Near Nashville, Tenn. March 25, 1S5G. Sir On reading over the above I observe that what I have said seems to assert the Tonson family were foaled by Boswell, Johnsons Virginia-bred, when I meant they were traced to her. The pedigree b. c, Sir John, by Pacolet Top-gallant, gr. dam, ch. or gray, by Grey Medley foaled by Johnsons Virginia-bred, stated by him to be a full-bred mare. Boswell, if I mistake not the name, was brother to Chapman Johnson, and a man of intelligence and respectability. Elliott used to say the Grey Medley mare was a sort of milk and cider color. Cryer bought either her or the Top filly at Johnsons sale. Foxall, an Englishman and, I am inclined to think, a Yorkshireman, married Cryers widow, and brought Sir John PJchard on the turf, with the aid of Elliott and Williams. When Sir John became a winner, his name was changed to Monsieur Ton-son and his dam took tne name of Madame Tonson. Top-gallant was a fine horse, bred in Georgia, His pedigree runs sired by Galatin, dam by Wildair, Black and All Black. By Wildair we of the south and southwest mean the son of Fearnought Kitty Fisher, the property of Colonel Symmes and not the Maryland Wildair, owned by Sims and son of Delancys imported Wildair. By Black and All Back was probably meant Skip-withs horse, son of imported Brunswick. As to Brimmej, my father bought Eclipse about the closeof the revolution from Colonsl Harris and he stated that Eclipse was the sire of Colonel Goodes Brimmer, confirmed by a circumstantial statement in one volume of the American Turf Register, though it is briefly stated in another volume that Brimmer was by Valiant. Having tfius recti fied and explained I have learned from Dr Robertson that his father, the old general, brought here the first thoroughbred he thinks called Why-not, from Maryland, my note says, by Fearnought, dam of Othello, about 1788. He says his father and others, then and afterward, had many Spanish mares. Add to my preceding list, about 1815-16, imported Highlander, a finely formed white, small horse, well-finished and perfect except for a bad ear, and Childers, an imported gray, neither much patronized. Also to be added is Doublehead, by Diomed. Major Park said his dam was a Fearnought and a Janus. Park bought the Bel Air mare, dam of Haynes Maria, to breed to him for the same purpose. After all, I may have forgotten, or never known, some good stallions in middle Tennessee. If your object be a general stud book and sporting magazine, then permit me to say that Jolly Roger Roger of the Vale, in England, imported to Virginia in 174S according to the opinion of men conversant in such matters, was distinguished among the early importations. Also that Janus, by Janus, Old Fox and Bald Galloway produced the fleetest then known as quarter-horses quarter-mile racers. In my early boyhood I saw, at Colonel John Dawsons, Fabricius, a brown, by old Janus, dam by Partner, Jolly Roger, Mary Gray. A little later I saw old Marc Antony in the stable of Peter Morgan, sheriff of Halifax County, North Carolina. He was a dark brown, almost a black, the bay color visible on the muzzle and flank. I do not know that I ever saw a horse in higher form, except, perhaps, Citizen. Marc greatly improved the stock. Old Fearnought and his sons and Marc Antony brought the turf horse to a higher stato of perfection. Shark and Medley then camo along, both capital, and both produced game stock. About 1790 to 1794 I frequently saw Celer, by Janus, foaled by Meads Aristotle mare. He was highly finished and gave both speed and bottom. Bel Air and Grey Diomed were both prominent and left good stock. The old Diomed, which had no equal in his time, nor anything like a parallel for the number and excellence of his sona since Fearnought. Contemporary and Bedford produced good stock at light weights, especially Gallatin. Spread Eagle was particularly good at high weights and sired Maid of the Oaks. Then Citizen, imported in 1803, about eighteen years old, as elastic and lively as a colt, did good service. His descendants, especially Pacolet, were held in high estimation for beauty, finish and gameness. Sir Archy was foaled in 1805 and died, as I have understood, twenty-seven years old. Some make him equal to his sire and other sportsmen and breeders give him the preference. Of the recent importations I will only say Leviathan stands next to Sir Archy; that Glencoe sired some superior racers, especially at long distance, and that Priam was a prince among the chiefest. Of the trotters I say nothing. Of the rackers I say that Thomas E. Tummer, of Warren, N. C, about 1790, imported from Narragansett Bay a light chestnut in color and form, called Free and Easy, and as was his name so was his pace. His like I have not seen since. His owner, in a rido from Halifax to Warrehton, after the season, permitted him to go freely and he died in consequence. Afterward Ranger, dark chestnut and of good substance, was brought -from " the same district of country by Samuel Williams of Warren. Here I shall name only old Copper-bottom. He was brought hither old, from Kentucky, and. stood three seasons. He died about 1S46. His sire or grandsire is said to have been a Canadian, and his dam well-bred. His colts commanded high prices for the saddle. Pedigrees in the South prior to the issuing of the Turf Register depended on manuscripts or memory, and thence followed transpositions and sometimes errors. Timoleon, one of Sir Arehys best, was a horse of great size, correct proportions and finish, good even to the hoofs, without apparent adulteration. His dam was by imported Saltram. Other stallions here were Symmes Wildair, imported Fallow, Driver and imported Vampire. There are many Drivers and we are not informed which. As to Fallow, he is said to have been a cart horse, imported to South Carolina. According to Lawrence, no three-parts-bred was ever known to go a distance. I believe with him that full blood, at least, is necessary to enable a horse to go a distance in competition with those purely bred. Therefore, I have supposed Fallow to be a misprint for Fellow, by. Cade, foaled in 1757 and said to have been imported. Vampire was foaled the same year. Of Stockholders pedigree we have several versions. One edition of the Turf Register states that he was sired by Sir Archy and the dam is variously reported to have been by imported Citizen, imported Stirling, Mousetrap the latter said to be the imported English Jack Rap, Eclipse, imported Fearnought, Apollo, imported Janus, Moores imported Partner, imported Silver Eye, imported Jolly Roger. It may be true to Fearnought and it is probable that Partner was not Moores, but the son of Traveller Selima, or Janus, or Silver Eye, or, possibly, two of those may stand before Jolly Roger in the pedigree and close with Mary Gray. She is said to have been foaled in 1742, by Roundhead Ringbone, and to have brought several fillies to Jolly Roger. Moores. Partner was probably bred be-I tween 1825 to 1830. Grizewoods Partner was foaled in 1831. As to Silver Eye, I can neither find him in Weatherby or Pick. I believe the American Turf Register states he is by the Cullen Arabian. OBITUARY OF STALLIONS. Horse. Date. Place. Age. Fearnought, b., about ...... 177G Va. 2G Janus, ch., about 1780 Va. 33 Eclipse, b., about 1790 Va. 20 Marc Antony, br., about ...1793-4 N. C. 32-3 Shark, br., about 1700 Va. 25 Medley, gr., about 1799 Va.. . 23 Celer, ch.. about 1802. N. Q. 28 Spread Eagle, b., about ". ....1S05 Ky. 13 Grey Diomed, about 180G N. C. 20 Messenger, gr., about 1S0S. . . N. Y. 28 Diomed, ch., about .1807-8 Va. 30-1 Coeur-de-Lion, died 1S09 25 Buzzard, ch 1S11 Ky. 24 Dragon, ch., of a kick 1812 Tenn. 25 Wonder, ch., Feb., on tho road of colic 1S15 Tenn. 15 Boaster, b., autumn 1819 - - Tenn. 24 Pacolet, gr., Oct., colic 1825 Tenn. 17 Oscar, br., Nov., colic 1S2G Tenn. 11 Eagle, b 1827 Ky. 30 Constitution; summer 1827 Tenn. 22 Bluster, autumn 182S Tenn. 20 Sir Archy, about 1832-3 N. C. 27-8 Imported! l Continued bn twelfth page." History of the American Thoroughbred Continued from eleventh pago. 1 have had the above on such authority as I credited at the time and think them correct, or nearly so. Obituary lists are not only a matter of curiosity, but serve to detect forgeries in some cases. TIIOJJOUGIIHRKDS OF 1JHAUTY. Citizen, Marc Antony, Celer, Bel Air, Grey Diomed and Iacolet were, in point of fact, nearer the Arabian and approximated nearer the beau ideal than any of the importations at the close of the eighteenth or commencement of the nineteenth century. They are, to my taste. Turk. The Diomcds. the Archys and the Leviathans were remarkable for size and stride, but if among them you found a beauty you had to look to the dam. viz : "Wonder, dam by Tippo Saib, son of Lindsays Arabian ; Second Diomed, gray dam by Clockfast ; Barksdalcs Grey Diomed, which, through Brimmer and Polly Flaxen, united the Godolphin and Darley Arabians ; John Dawson, a superb, large bay horse sired by Pacific, the dam of which had a Grey Medley, a Pacolet and two Tippo Saib crosses. He was a good one on the turf under bad management and took a premium at an agricultural show. He was trained by Williams and kept and sustained by Elliott. As a stallion he would, in all probability, have distinguished himself in both capacities. I do not know what became of him, but I do know he might have stood by Eagle and Dragon and not suffered by comparison. WILL WILLIAMS. The following was extracted from a letter written to the author by David W. Jones, of New York, dated April 3, 185G: It is well known that at an early date in our history frequent importations of horses were made without any particular reference to blood. For some time, previous to the revolution, a spirit of emulation existed in these colonics and the thoroughbred horse became an object of interest. EARLY NEW YORK IMPORTATIONS. Among the earliest of our importations, which had a broad and deep foundation of the racing stock of the North, were Wildair and the Cub mare, in 17G3, by Mr. Delancey. In 17G5 came Sloven, in 17GS Figure, in 17GS Lath and in 1773 Whirligig. All these contributed more or less to our racing stock. To Bashaw, the produce of Wildair and the Cub mare, foaled shortly after their arrival in this country, and to Figure are wc mainly indebted for placing us on an equality, at least, with earlier and much more extensive breeders of the South. In the latter part of the eighteenth century a number of superior stallions Were imported which, standing at moderate prices, greatly improved the general stock of the country. Among these may be mentioned Slender, in 17S5 ; Messenger, in 1702 ; Bajazet and Highlander, in 1791 ; Light Infantry and Sourcrout, about the same time; Baronet, in 1795 ; Alexander, in 1797, and Expedition, in 1S02. All of these made a favorable change in the racing stock of the North. But immeasurably superior to all others was Messenger. Taken all in all, he was unquestionably the best horse brought to America in his time. He not only produced race horses of the first order, both at long and short distances, but, as roadsters, his progeny was unequaled. Well do I remember him when standing at the stable of Townsend Cock, in this country. His large, bony head, rather short straight neck, with windpipe and nostrils nearly twice as large as ordinary, with his low withers and shoulders somewhat upright but deep, close and strong. Behind these lay the perfection and power of the machine. His barrel, loin, hips and quartets were incomparably superior to all others. His hocks and knees were unusually large. Below them his limbs were of medium size but fiat, strong and remarkably clean and, either in standing or action, their position Avas perfect. Baronet, too, left his mark on our stock. Of all the importations in his day none equaled him in elegance and finish. At a later period, when his progeny and that of Messenger mingled, it was the abiding hope of the breeder to obtain the fine forehand, rich color and perfect symmetry of Baronet, with the speed, power and will of a Messenger. Light Infantry and Expedition were horses of similar character, possessing great beauty of form and elegance of action. Both contributed essentially to the general improvement and in several instances their progeny gained distinction on the turf. Of later importations, Phoenix, in 1S03 ; Bussorah, in 1819 ; Roman, in 1823 ; Barefoot, in 1827 ; Hedgeford and Autocrat, in 1833, and Trustee, in 1835, several have produced at least one of great excellence. Trustee, the wonder, Fashion ; Roman, a Treasurer; Barefoot, a Clara Howard, and Hedgeford, a Duane. Their many failures under favorable circumstances at least suggest the inquiry whether the dam has not quite as much if not more to do in the production of these isolated cases of superior excellence as the sire. Of Bussorah and other Arabians which have been imported, although evidently great pains have been bestowed upon their selection, it is admitted that none has added essentially to the value of our stock. Bussorah possessed great beauty and was of approved pedigree, free from any particular defects o form. Consequently great hopes were entertained of his usefulness. To Be Continued.
