Yes, the Watauga
Watauga County
Watauga County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 51,079. Its county seat and largest town is Boone. Watauga County comprises the Boone, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Cherokee
The Cherokee are one of the indigenous people of the Southeastern Woodlands of the United States. Prior to the 18th century, they were concentrated in what is now southwestern North Carolina, southeastern Tennessee, and the tips of western South Carolina and northeastern Georgia.
Where was the Watauga settlement?
The Watauga settlement was south of the Holston River, on the Watauga and Nolichucky Rivers in the colony of North Carolina. There were three main settlements in the area known as Watauga, Carter's Valley, and Nolichucky.
When did Watauga become part of North Carolina?
North Carolina annexed the Watauga settlement area, by then known as the Washington District, in November 1776. Within a year, the area was placed under a county government, becoming Washington County, North Carolina, in November 1777.
Why did settlers come to the Holston and Watauga settlements?
Many settlers came to the Holston and Watauga Settlements after the Battle of Alamance in May, 1771, when there was a mass migration of settlers from central North Carolina to the frontier regions. These early settlers formed the Watauga Association which was was semi-autonomous government created in 1772.
What is the Watauga Association?
The Watauga Association (sometimes referred to as the Republic of Watauga) was a semi-autonomous government created in 1772 by frontier settlers living along the Watauga River in what is now Elizabethton, Tennessee.
What was the impact of the Watauga Association?
The Articles of the Watauga Association likely influenced the Cumberland Compact (drafted in 1780), the main link between the two pacts being James Robertson, who in 1779 led a group of colonists into what is now the Nashville area.
Who came from the Watauga settlement?
John BARLEYJoseph DUNHAMJohn MOOREWilliam CLARKGeorge HUTSONValentine SEVIERJames COOPERMichael HYDERAdam SHEERRILLAbraham COXZachariah ISBELLSamuel SHERRILL, Sr.Edward COXJohn JONESSamuel SHERRILL, Jr.28 more rows
What did the white settlers of Watauga do in 1772?
Disregarding the British mandate, the settlers negotiated a ten-year lease with the Indians for “all the country on the waters of the Watauga.” In 1772 the settlers established the Watauga Association to organize the region.
Who signed the Watauga compact?
All were known as the "Wataugans." Two such hale and hearty pioneers were my ancestors, namely Christopher Columbus Cunningham, Sr. and Isaac Wilson, Sr. Both were signers of the Watauga Petition to the state of North Carolina.
What is the significance of the Watauga settlement?
The Watauga Settlement was the first community established in North Carolina's western frontier and holds the distinction of being perhaps the first American settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains.
Why did the Watauga settlement happen?
Fort Watauga (or Caswell) was built at the Sycamore Shoals of the Watauga River in 1775–1776 by the Watauga Association, to defend settlers from Indian (primarily Cherokee) attacks, which were in part instigated by the British.
Why was dragging canoe unhappy with the Watauga settlers?
Q. Why was Dragging Canoe unhappy with the Watauga Settlers? He feared they would not trade with the Cherokee.
Who settled Boone NC?
When Daniel Boone was a youth his family moved to North Carolina. The exact date of this move is not known, but it is thought to be around 1752, when Daniel was about eighteen. Squire Boone invested in land close to the Yadkin River, about eight miles from Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
What is Watauga?
The Watauga River (/wəˈtɔːɡə/) is a large stream of western North Carolina and East Tennessee. It is 78.5 miles (126.3 km) long with its headwaters in Linville Gap to the South Fork Holston River at Boone Lake.
Why was the state of Franklin never made a state?
North Carolina decided it wanted its land back. Because of this, the Federal Government wouldn't accept Franklin as a state. This angered the people living in Franklin. There were now two governments - the government of Franklin and the government of North Carolina.
What is the significance of the Cumberland settlement?
In 1779, Henderson planned a settlement in order to take advantage of the region's rich natural resources including fertile soil and abundant animal life. Henderson's settlement was named the Cumberland Settlement for the Cumberland River which served as main transportation route in the region.
What year did Tn become a state?
June 1, 1796Tennessee / Statehood grantedOnce it was completed, the delegates sent the Constitution to Washington City for review by the Congress before it adjourned. President Washington signed the bill giving Tennessee immediate statehood on June 1, 1796.
Who settled Boone NC?
When Daniel Boone was a youth his family moved to North Carolina. The exact date of this move is not known, but it is thought to be around 1752, when Daniel was about eighteen. Squire Boone invested in land close to the Yadkin River, about eight miles from Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
What is the significance of the Cumberland settlement?
In 1779, Henderson planned a settlement in order to take advantage of the region's rich natural resources including fertile soil and abundant animal life. Henderson's settlement was named the Cumberland Settlement for the Cumberland River which served as main transportation route in the region.
What is Watauga?
The Watauga River (/wəˈtɔːɡə/) is a large stream of western North Carolina and East Tennessee. It is 78.5 miles (126.3 km) long with its headwaters in Linville Gap to the South Fork Holston River at Boone Lake.
Why was dragging canoe unhappy with the Watauga settlers?
Q. Why was Dragging Canoe unhappy with the Watauga Settlers? He feared they would not trade with the Cherokee.
What county was the Watauga Settlement in?
Early Tennessee Settlers of the Watauga Settlement of Washington County. The brisk winds cascading through the Beech trees embrace the scenery as they flow through the air in eastern Tennessee. Washington, the oldest county of the state, allows the echoes of familiar sounds from the mockingbird and the bobwhite.
When did the first Cherokee settle in Fort Watauga?
Fort Watauga. The first settlers arrived to the area during the years after 1765. They corresponded with the Cherokee and leased properties with mutual agreements during the year of 1772.
What is the name of the fort in Watauga?
Pictured above is a current photo of Fort Watauga which was formally known as Fort Caswell. It’s original location has been the topic of debate for over two hundred years. New research and discoveries have substantiated the existence of the fort while providing the exact location of trenches with wood pillar remains.
How many people were living in Washington County in 1776?
According to records, over 200 people were living in the Washington County area during the year of 1776. I have been able to discover 75 surnames from the time period of 1776 to 1782. Other documents reveal the deaths of some family members during Indian raids from 1775 to 1776 by the Cherokee.
Was it illegal to buy land from Native Americans?
Of course, it was illegal to purchase lands from the Native Americans, so this procedure seemed to work well for them for a short time. Once the Royal authorities found proof of their existence past the Proclamation Line, soldiers responded by informing the settlers to return to North Carolina and Virginia.
Was the Watauga settlement a success?
Yes, the Watauga Settlement of Washington County was a success in every aspect of the word. As the settlers made their way from North Carolina and Virginia, they traveled along many hunting trails of the Cherokee and the Catawba Indians.
Where was the Watauga settlement located?
The Watauga settlement was south of the Holston River, on the Watauga and Nolichucky Rivers in the colony of North Carolina. There were three main settlements in the area known as Watauga, Carter's Valley, and Nolichucky.
Who settled on the Watauga River?
On July 13, 1792 Moses Humphreys purchased a tract of land on the north side of Boones Creek in Washington County from William Ellis for 50 "current money.". Bowlin and Mary (Lee) Curtis settled by the Watauga River about 1792.
When did John Tipton move to Watauga?
Colonel John Tipton moved to the Watauga settlement in 1783.
When was Fort Watauga built?
The Committee acquired arms and oversaw the construction of Fort Watauga (or Caswell) which was built at the Sycamore Shoals of the Watauga River in 1775–1776. On March 25, 1775 the Watauga Purchase of the East Tennessee lands from the Cherokee was made.
When did Mary and Bowlin settle in Watauga?
Bowlin and Mary (Lee) Curtis settled by the Watauga River about 1792.
Who were the first white men to settle in the Watauga Country?
Julius Dugger and Andrew Greer were the first white men to settle in the Watauga Country. They settled about three miles above the present town of Elizabethton. The first permanent settlement in Tennessee was made in 1769 on Boones Creek by William Bean, and his wife Lydia Russell.
Who owned Fort Watauga?
After the battle with the indigenous people at Fort Watauga in 1776, a second fort was built upriver on lands owned by Valentine Sevier, Sr ., but later owned by Solomon and Abraham Hart, sons of Leonard Hart. Legislative Journal of the Provincial Congress at Halifax, North Carolina Monday, December 23rd, 1776.
Where was the Watauga settlement located?
The Watauga settlement was was south of the Holston River, on the Watauga and Nolichucky Rivers in the colony of North Carolina. There were three main settlements in the area known as Watauga, Carter's Valley, and Nolichucky. Most settlers came down the Great Valley through Virginia, while others went through gaps in the Unaka Range ...
When was the Watauga Purchase made?
On March 25, 1775 the Watauga Purchase of the East Tennessee lands from the Cherokees was made.
Why was Fort Watauga built?
Fort Watauga (or Caswell) was built at the Sycamore Shoals of the Watauga River in 1775–1776 by the Watauga Association, to defend settlers from Indian (primarily Cherokee) attacks, which were in part instigated by the British. It was a group of cabins arranged in a rectangle connected by stockade walls of sharp pointed poles.
Who were the first white men to settle in the Watauga Country?
Julius Dugger and Andrew Greer were the first white men to settle in the Watauga Country. They settled about three miles above the present town of Elizabethton. The first permanent settlement in Tennessee was made in 1769 on Boones Creek by Captain William Bean, and his wife Lydia.
Who was the British agent who ordered the settlers to move to the Watauga Valley?
In the fall of the year 1771, Anthony Bledsoe ran the boundary line between the Colonies of Virginia and North Carolina, far enough west to ascertain that the Watauga settlement was in North Carolina, and Alexander Cameron, the British agent, immediately ordered the settlers on the Watauga to move oflf of the Indian lands. James Robertson and John Sevier, two of the leading members of the Watauga settlement, immediately set about to devise ways and means by which they could avoid the order of the British agent. They could not buy the lands from the Indians, because the purchase was prohibited, but there was no law prohibiting a lease of the land, and in the year 1774, the Indians leased to the settlers on the Watauga the lands in the Watauga Valley and all was peace once again. ( History of Southwest Virginia)
Who owned Fort Watauga?
After the battle with the indigenous people at Fort Watauga in 1776, a second fort was built upriver on lands owned by Valentine Sevier, Sr ., but later owned by Solomon and Abraham Hart, sons of Leonard Hart. Legislative Journal of the Provincial Congress at Halifax, North Carolina Monday, December 23rd, 1776.
Why couldn't the Indians buy the land?
They could not buy the lands from the Indians, because the purchase was prohibited, but there was no law prohibiting a lease of the land, and in the year 1774, the Indians leased to the settlers on the Watauga the lands in the Watauga Valley and all was peace once again. ( History of Southwest Virginia)
Why did the Wataugans create the Watauga Association?
The Wataugans were still beyond the bounds of any organized government, and to address this problem, they created the Watauga Association in 1772. Based on the Virginia legal system, a panel of five commissioners regulated all judicial activities in the settlement, including court cases, legal documents, and land titles. The primary focus of the Watauga Association was the practical needs of routine government; it made no claims to independence from Great Britain. Even so, Wataugans were under the authority of no other government and thus represent the first autonomous white government in the British colonies.
Why did the Wataugans appeal to Virginia?
In hopes that their lost lands could be regained, the militant faction of the tribe soon afterward garnered enough support to form an alliance with the British during the American Revolution. With the threat of a Cherokee attack imminent, the Wataugans appealed to both Virginia and North Carolina for assistance.
What battle did the Overmountain men fight?
Many "Overmountain Men," former members of the Watauga Association, fought in the Battle of King's Mountain. Image courtesy of the North Carolina Office of Archives and History, Raleigh, NC. In 1787, the Watauga Association sent a petition to the North Carolina General Assembly ...
Where did the Cherokee settle?
The inhabitants of these settlements believed, or at least claimed to believe, they had settled within the boundary of Virginia. A survey revealed, however, that all except the North Holston community were situated south of the boundary part of North Carolina’s western claims—the same land that had been guaranteed to the Cherokee Nation. Thus, the new settlements were told to disband and relocate to the north of the boundary. Instead, they consolidated in the Watauga settlement and approached the Cherokee with a request to lease land along the Watauga River. The Cherokee agreed.
Who was the first white settler in Tennessee?
Image courtesy of the North Carolina Office of Archives and History, Raleigh, NC. The first permanent white settler in what is now Tennessee was William Bean, who settled in 1769 on Boone’s Creek, near where it flowed into the Watauga River.
Did Virginia negate the Transylvania Purchase?
Virginia and North Carolina eventually negated the Transylvania Purchase, but it still had significant repercussions for the Wataugans. In the aftermath of the transaction, Watauga leaders approached the Cherokee to ask that their lease be converted into a purchase, and once again, the Cherokee agreed. But the Transylvania Purchase created serious dissension within the Cherokee Nation. In hopes that their lost lands could be regained, the militant faction of the tribe soon afterward garnered enough support to form an alliance with the British during the American Revolution.
Why was the Watauga Association established?
The primary reason given for the establishment of the Watauga Association was to prevent the Watauga and Nolichucky regions from becoming a haven for debtors and felons, and for conducting "public business" such as the recording of deeds and wills.
What chapter is Watauga in?
Chapter II , Watauga—Its Settlement and Government — in The Annals of Tennessee to the End of the Eighteenth Century by J. G. M. Ramsey, 1853.
What was the Clarksville Compact?
The Clarksville Compact, drafted for the Clarksville settlement in 1785 , may have also been inspired by the Watauga Association (the Clarksville Compact even adopted the laws of Virginia, even though the settlement was clearly within the territory of North Carolina). In the mid-1780s, some former Wataugans (especially John Sevier) ...
What was the name of the settlement that the Cherokee negotiated with the Cherokee?
As settlement on lands west of colonial boundaries violated the Royal Proclamation of 1763, the Watauga and Nolichucky settlers were ordered to leave. In May 1772, the Watauga and Nolichucky settlers negotiated a 10-year lease directly with the Cherokee, and being outside the claims of any colony, established the Watauga Association ...
What did the Cherokee do in 1777?
In 1777, the Cherokee signed the Treaty of Long Island, ceding control of the Watauga and Nolichucky valleys to the American colonies.
How many Wataugans were in the Battle of Point Pleasant?
Wataugan militiamen were present at multiple engagements on the frontier and throughout the American Revolution. A company of 20 Wataugans took part in the Battle of Point Pleasant in 1774 during Lord Dunmore's War, and another contingent aided in the defense of Boonesborough and Harrodsburg later in the decade.
What was the name of the district that the settlers organized themselves into?
With the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War (April 1775), the settlers organized themselves into the "Washington District," loyal to the "united colonies," and formed a Committee of Safety to govern it, marking the end of the so-called "Watauga Republic".
