Where was the Watauga settlement?
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.
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 happened to the Watauga Fort?
[The Watauga Fort was attacked], July twenty-first 1776. At day-break, when there were a large number of people gathered there, and the women were out-side milking the cows, a large body of Cherokees fired on the milkers; but they all fortunately escaped to the fort, the gates of which were thrown open for their reception.
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.
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.
What was on the Watauga River as a settlement that ended up being on land in Cherokee Nation?
The Great Grant Deed, also known as The Great Grant, was a transaction for the sale of property by the Cherokee Nation to Richard Henderson and Company. The grant is also known as the Louisa purchase or the Transylvania purchase. The transaction occurred at Sycamore Shoals on the Watauga River on March 17, 1775.
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.
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 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 is Watauga known for?
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.
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 was the Watauga compact?
They were squatters on land they did not own and were, in fact, settled illegally. They quickly remedied their situation to the best of their abilities. In the spring of 1772 they organized themselves into the Watauga Association and agreed on a form of government. This is known as the Watauga Compact.
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.
Which of the original 13 states did TN formerly belong to?
What is now Tennessee was initially part of North Carolina, and later part of the Southwest Territory. It was admitted to the Union on June 1, 1796, as the 16th state.
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 is Watauga known for?
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.
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.
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 ...
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)
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.
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)
What was the name of the battle that took place in 1777?
From 1784 to 1788,it was part of the State of Franklin. The Battle of Kings Mountain was a decisive battle of the American Revoluton.
When was the Watauga Purchase made?
On March 25, 1775 the Watauga Purchase of the East Tennessee lands from the Cherokees was made.
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.
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.
How many men were in the Battle of Kings Mountain?
There were approximately 1,100 men. John Hendrix (Hendricks) and Hannah Kelly moved to the Watauga settlement about 1780.
Where did John Carter settle?
John Carter and his son, Landon Carter, settled on the western side of the Holston River about 1770. 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.
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.
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.
When was Washington District annexed?
A Committee of Safety was organized and during the spring of 1776 , Virginia was asked to annex the area. Virginia refused and in November of the same year, North Carolina agreed to annex the area. The Washington District was now known as part of the Royal Colonies.
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.
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 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".
Was the Watauga Association a British colony?
While there is no evidence that the Watauga Association ever claimed to be outside the sovereign territory of the British Crown , historians have often cited the Association as the earliest attempt by American-born colonists to form an independent democratic government.
What was the situation along the Watauga?
When The Revolutionary War began in 1775, the situation along the Watauga became even more tense. A vast majority of the settlers were for the efforts to break from England. Meanwhile, Dragging Canoe was busy forming an alliance with the British. He hoped it would hasten the process of removing the settlers from the land. Land that was rightly theirs under The Royal Proclamation of 1763. After this alliance was formed, the British gave the Cherokee a generous amount of arms. This was to help push the American pioneers off the land.
Why is Fort Watauga important?
Many people are unaware of the importance Fort Watauga played in the founding of our great country. It was the location for a major battle against the British in the American Revolution. Some familiar names in Tennessee history played an important role in defending the Fort. Also they helped defeat the British army in the fight for independence. It has been recognized by historians. Many people today have also been instrumental at recreating and preserving the history of these momentous and turbulent times.
Why did Lord Cornwallis cancel his plans for an invasion of North Carolina?
The resulting Battle at Kings Mountain became a major turning point in the American Revolution; morale received a much needed boost, and British General, Lord Cornwallis, would cancel his plans for an invasion in North Carolina because of the efforts--and victory--of the Overmountain Men and patriot allies who met at Sycamore Shoals along Fort Watauga.
How many days did the Cherokee have to leave the Fort?
The settlers were now faced with an ultimatum: They had 20 days to leave, or else they would be attacked. The situation had reached a point to where the settlers themselves were preparing for an all-out war with the Cherokee. They stocked up on weaponry by a Virginia County Committee of Safety. Food, medicine, and building materials were also gathered in preparation and fortification of existing forts. Even the building of the Watauga fort with these supplies.
Where did the Cherokee invade?
Shortly thereafter, the invasion began at the Nolichucky settlement with the Cherokee invaders burning the settlers’ farms and homes. With Dragging Canoe leading another faction, they burned down the abandoned--and still incomplete--Fort Lee. The Cherokee forces had now split up and were heading toward Fort Watauga for a showdown with the settlers. Dragging Canoe headed for the Holston settlements to the north. Old Abraham’s forces marched toward Fort Watauga. Dragging Canoe met his demise as Captain John Thompson’s men engaged with them at Eaton’s Station in Holston. There they killed 12 other members of the Cherokee.
Who were the Overmountain men?
The Overmountain Men is the name given to John Sevier, John Rhea, Isaac Shelby, and other frontiersmen who helped solidify the existence of these communities around Fort Watauga and Sycamore Shoals. Even though the Battle of Kings Mountain was fought in South Carolina--and resulted in a spectacular victory for the patriot militia with many of The Overmountain Men in the battle--what happened prior, cemented Fort Watauga as a major historical marker in Tennessee and American history as well.
Who was the woman who tipped the Cherokee?
By July 1776, with preparations for war mostly completed, trader Isaac Thomas received a tip from Beloved Cherokee Woman, Nancy Ward, regarding an imminent Cherokee invasion. Nancy Ward did not support the efforts of some Cherokee--including Dragging Canoe--to force the settlers away; she was more interested in peaceful ways to resolving the conflict. With this news, Thomas informed future Tennessee governor John Sevier. He was in the process of building Fort Lee. He with the other settlers, went back to the completed Fort Watauga.
