The COPPERBOTTOMS were one of the earliest of imported families into Middle Tennessee. This group of horses took its name OLD COPPERBOTTOM, from a horse whose pedigree and early history were lost before his exceptional qualities were recognized. As is the case with many pioneer stallions, COPPERBOTTOM seemed to have come from nowhere and actually existed in a state of limbo until breeders discovered that his colts could perform the pacey, ambly gait so desired by early settlers in Kentucky and Tennessee.

Since OLD COPPERBOTTOM paced and shared other characteristics of Canadian horses, it was naturally assumed he was a Canadian although this theory was never fully substantiated.   It is further assumed that the horse arrived in Kentucky sometime in 1812.  In later years, COPPERBOTTOM was accepted as one of the original foundation sires the American Saddle Horse, and there can be no doubt that his offspring played a prominent role in the evolvement of the Walking Horse.

On June 10, 1816, a Lexington, Kentucky, newspaper carried the following  advertisement on OLD COPPERBOTTOM: 

The celebrated fast pacing Canadian stallion COPPERBOTTOM will stand the following season at the farm of Capt. Jowett, near Dr. Tegardina's, about two miles from Lexington, on the Georgetown road. He is a full blooded Canadian Pacer imported by Capt. Jowett.  He is a beautiful copper sorrel, rising seven-year old, and for bone, sinew and performance, equal to any horse the United States.  He is a sure foal getter, and his colts generally are natural pacers.  His former proprietor, Capt. Perrin, challenged  to pace him from Malden to Sandwich (Michigan) distance 16 1/2 miles in one hour with two men in the carryall.  If a better recommendation is wanted, than can be given on paper,  come and see him.  He will be let to mares at $8 this season, which may be discharged by $6 if paid down, $12 to insure a mare in foal, and $4 the single leap; when the money is not paid down a note of hand will be required payable on or before the I st of Dec. 1816.  When the season is over sportsmen can obtain a liberal wager, that COPPERBOTTOM can beat any horse in Kentucky, pacing from one to four miles.

William Allen

As was pointed out in the above ad, COPPERBOTTOM was a sorrel with a tinge of copper coloring.  Most of his offspring are described as sorrel roans, "extremely stout and well made."  COPPERBOTTOM had proven himself a sire of outstanding saddle horses long before his blood came to Tennessee, and some authorities speculate that the blood was needed in Middle Tennessee to re-establish the true gaits of the saddle horse after they had been lost through too much out-crossing with Thoroughbreds.

The first COPPERBOTTOM stallion imported into Middle Tennessee is believed to have been FENWICK'S COPPERBOTTOM, probably a grandson of the original horse brought to Kentucky.  As was the custom in those days, FENWICK'S COPPERBOTTOM soon became known as "OLD COPPERBOTTOM" in his new home.  The Lexington, Kentucky, GAZETTE, on April 4, 1832, carried the following advertisement on the Fenwick horse: 

The beautiful pacing horse COPPERBOTTOM, beautiful chestnut roan, 5 ft. 2 inches high, with remarkably fine bone and great muscular power, fine limbs, and paces uncommonly fast, and in better style than any other horse that has ever been shown on any green in this country.  He has proved himself the finest foal getter in this country, both for saddle and harness horses, being remarkably gentle and easily managed.  At $5, $8, and $12.

Pedigree: got by BRUTUS and came out of SNIP; BRUTUS by Capt. M. Jewett's COPPERBOTTOM from Bolton, Canada, and his dam by ROBIN GRAY, SNIP by PITT'S BALL and out of a CELER mare.  BALL by the imported ROYALIST and from Davis' celebrated race mare, she by LAMPLIGHTER, and he dam by OLD JUNIPER. LAMPLIGHTER by OLD MEDLEY.

I will here state the price of some of his colts that have sold as saddle horses.  Two at Louisville for $650. One in New Orleans $450.  A young stallion of his get, sold this spring for $500. J.V Fenwick Scott County, Ky.

Since the above-mentioned stallion is believed to be the first COPPERBOTTOM imported into Middle Tennessee, his pedigree is significant.  This horse was, in the final analysis, a cross between the COPPERBOTTOM TOMS and Thoroughbred blood.  Of the horses mentioned in his pedigree CELER, LAMPLIGHTER, JUNIPER, ROYALIST, MEDLEY and ROBIN GRAY were Thoroughbreds.  ROBIN GRAY was one proud contenders that went down to defeat behind the flying hooves immortal HAYNIE'S MARIA during Andrew Jackson's days in  Tennessee. FENWICK'S COPPERBOTTOM was brought to Middle Tennessee by James Cartwright of Nashville, but was later sold to Colonel Edmond Chambers of Wilson County.  FENWICK'S COPPERBOTTOM sired many outstanding sons in Middle Tennessee.  Among these MORRILL'S COPPERBOTTOM, NOLAN'S COPPERBOTTOM CLARDY'S COPPERBOTTOM and DAY'S COPPERBOTTOM.  Another son, BLUE JOHN, is credited with siring BOONE'S GREYJOHN, who established a family under his own name. It is also interesting to note that COPPERBOTTOM blood came to the Tennessee Walking Horse through the TOM HAL family, since BALD STOCKING, the grandsire of TOM HAL F-20, was out of a COPPERBOTTOM mare.

Of the above named sons of OLD COPPERBOTTOM, NOLAN’S COPPERBOTTOM seems to have been the finest performer under saddle.  He became prominent through his races under saddle (at the pace) with BROOKS, the sire of the BONESETTER.   BROOKS had as much speed as NOLAN'S COPPERBOTTOM, but he would knuckle and make breaks on the turns, while the latter was very steady and would always win." As will be found later, BROOKS was also a cornerstone of the Walking Horse.  

Tennessee Walking Horse foundation stock carrying COPPERBOTTOM blood were BRAMLETT F-9, HUNTER'S ALLEN F-10, BUFORD L. F-11, TOM HAL F-20, GENERAL HARDEE F-21, JOHN A F-32, MAJOR DONNEL F-66, MOFFITT'S DONNELL F-96, REYNOLD'S DONNELL F-100, TERRY'S DONNELL, JR. F- 101, DONNELL 111 F-103, JOHN STOVALL F-104, BOB ALLEN SMITHSON F-108, and the famous PAT MALONE F-27.