Bob Benge - The Brown Family

The Brown Family

Benge was at Running Water Town when word came that an agreement had been reached with John Sevier for an exchange of hostages which specifically mentioned the Brown family taken in 1788 as they reached Nickajack passing through the Five Lower Towns on the Tennessee River. Only three of the surviving members remained among the Cherokee, the other three having been sent to the Muscogee.

Joseph Brown and his sister Polly were brought immediately to Running Water, but when runners were sent to Crow Town to retrieve Jane, their youngest sister, her owner refused to surrender her. Bob Benge mounted his horse and hefted his famous axe, saying, "I will bring the girl, or the owner's head". The next morning he returned with Jane. The three were later handed over to Sevier at Coosawattee.

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