Why Andrew Jackson paid the equivalent of $900,000 to cross this Alabama river

George Colbert’s $75,000 Ferry Empire on Tennessee River

George Colbert knew how to cut a deal. In 1801, this Chickasaw chief got the U.S. to build him a ferry, inn, and store on the Tennessee River along the Natchez Trace.

He charged white folks to cross but let his people ride free. When Andrew Jackson needed to move his army across in 1812, Colbert handed him a bill for $75,000 – about $900,000 today. Jackson paid up.

Colbert soon owned a huge plantation with 150 enslaved workers, making him one of the richest men on the frontier. The site of his savvy business empire still stands along the Natchez Trace Parkway in Alabama.

George Colbert Started a Ferry Business That Changed Frontier Travel

In 1798, George Colbert started running a ferry across the Tennessee River, creating a key crossing on what later became the Natchez Trace.

Travelers going between Nashville and Natchez faced a big problem at the river, which was nearly a mile wide.

As a Chickasaw leader with Scottish-Chickasaw roots who spoke both languages, Colbert saw a great business chance.

Mail carriers, soldiers, and settlers all needed to cross the wide Tennessee, and Colbert’s ferry became the only safe way to make the trip.

Secured a Savvy Treaty Deal With James Wilkinson’s Backing

In December 1801, General James Wilkinson asked Colbert to move his ferry to the official Natchez Trace crossing.

Colbert bargained hard during talks for the 1801 Treaty with the Chickasaw. He got exclusive rights to run the Tennessee River ferry and funding for the ferry boat, cabins, stables, and kitchen.

The treaty made sure Colbert’s business couldn’t face any competition, giving him complete control over this needed river crossing.

The Government Built Him a Frontier Travel Empire

The government paid for an impressive travel complex at Colbert’s Ferry. They even gave him a new ferry boat built just how he wanted it.

Workers built several cabins for tired travelers, a well-stocked store, strong stables for horses, and a large two-story house where Colbert lived and hosted important guests.

By 1808, the ferry crossing grew into one of the most important stops along the whole Natchez Trace, offering food, shelter, supplies, and river passage.

Travelers Paid Top Dollar While Tribal Members Crossed Free

Colbert created a clever pricing system that made good money while respecting tribal ties. White travelers paid 50 cents per person and a full dollar for a horse and rider.

Chickasaw tribal members crossed for free. Many travelers complained about the high prices in their journals and letters, but they had no choice but to pay.

Naturalist Alexander Wilson complained about the “too expensive” rates in 1810, but still paid since swimming across wasn’t an option.

Jackson’s Army Got Stranded Far From Home

Problems started in late 1812 when Andrew Jackson gathered 2,000 Tennessee volunteers to protect New Orleans during the War of 1812.

After walking 500 miles through winter weather, the army reached Natchez only to get shocking news. General Wilkinson suddenly sent them home without pay, supplies, or rides back.

Jackson refused to leave his men and decided to march everyone back to Nashville. Many soldiers got sick during the rough journey, and Jackson spent his own money on wagons and medicine.

The Ferry Bill That Shocked a Future President

When Jackson’s tired army finally reached the Tennessee River in March 1813, they needed to use Colbert’s ferry crossing.

The Chickasaw businessman gave Jackson a shocking bill: $75,000 to ferry the whole army across the river.

That equals over $900,000 today. Jackson reportedly had no choice but to pay the huge fee to get his men home.

Some historians question if the full amount changed hands, but the story became famous along the frontier as an example of Colbert’s business smarts.

Former Business Rivals Became Military Allies

Despite their ferry fee fight, Colbert and Jackson later fought together. During the Creek War, Colbert led 350 Chickasaw warriors who joined Jackson’s forces.

Military records show Colbert got paid for supplies on June 23, 1814, including “two beeves, $32; two bushels salt, $6; ferriage for 600 men and horses, $150.

” Colbert and his warriors helped Jackson win the Battle of Horseshoe Bend on March 27, 1814, defeating the Red Stick Creeks.

Their military partnership mixed business, politics, and war.

Cotton and Slaves Made Him One of the Richest Men

The ferry business was just one income source. Colbert’s plantation businesses brought him huge wealth compared to most frontier settlers.

He ran a big cotton plantation worked by about 150 enslaved African Americans, making him one of the richest people in the region.

Colbert mixed traditional Chickasaw leadership with plantation farming like white Southern landowners. In 1823, newspapers printed his ads looking for runaway slaves named Trouble, Philip, and July.

Important Leaders Gathered at His Riverside Home

Colbert’s ferry landing became a center for government business and meetings. The U.S. mail route crossed at his ferry, bringing regular government traffic and payment.

In 1816, his home served as the “Chickasaw Council House” for a major meeting between several tribal nations and the U.S.government.

Leaders from the Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, and Chickasaw nations met at Colbert’s house to talk about land borders and relationships.

His ferry business made the most money during these busy years of Natchez Trace travel.

Changing Travel Routes Ended the Ferry’s Golden Age

Personal sadness hit in 1817 when Colbert’s main wife Tuskiahooto died.

Around the same time, the U.S. government changed the mail route to follow Jackson’s Military Road through Florence, bypassing Colbert’s ferry.

The opening of Gaines Trace gave travelers other routes that took traffic away from the original Natchez Trace crossing.

With less business and facing personal loss, Colbert closed the ferry in 1819 and focused on his plantation.

His Business Model Inspired a Generation of Native Entrepreneurs

Colbert’s business success showed how Native leaders could work within both tribal and American systems.

His strategy of turning treaty rights into profitable monopolies influenced other Chickasaw entrepreneurs, including his nephew Benjamin.

The family ferry business continued for decades, with Benjamin Colbert later running profitable ferries on the Red River that served military transports and cattle drives.

George Colbert died in 1839 at age 75 during the forced removal to Indian Territory, but his business legacy lived on through family members who continued his entrepreneurial traditions.

Visiting Natchez Trace Parkway, Alabama

You can explore George Colbert’s ferry operation history at Natchez Trace Parkway near Cherokee, Alabama at Milepost 327. 3.

The 1. 1-mile trail takes you to the ridge where Colbert ran his profitable business from 1800-1819, including his famous $75,000 charge to transport Andrew Jackson’s army.

Take an extra 20-minute walk along the Old Trace to reach the Tennessee River bluff overlook. The area has picnic tables, restrooms, fishing access, and no entrance fees required.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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