James Vann was born the oldest of three children, most likely in South Carolina near his father-in-law's trading … See more

A story was repeated about James Vann that indicates the violence of his times. As a young man, he helped lead the John Watts' 1793 offensive against the Holston River colonial settlements. They originally planned a… See more

Vann became the richest man in the Cherokee Nation. As a result of his favorable negotiations for access and land when the US government built the Federal Road, Vann built his Diamond Hill mansion, a two-story … See more

In national Cherokee politics, 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 … See more

Vann was a shrewd tribal leader and businessman. He owned taverns, ferry boats, grist mills, and livestock. His business activities included a cattle drive to Pennsylvania and a pack train of goods to South Caro… See more

Dee Alexander Brown wrote a novel based on a fictionalized version of Vann's life, called Creek Mary's Blood (1981). See more