A HISTORY OF THE SETTLEMENT

OF SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA 1400 - 1800

By: Danny Dixon
1997

Contents

Foreword Overview Prior to 1500 1500's 1600's 1700 - 1749

1750's 1760's 1770's 1780's 1790's Return Home

Foreword:

The document that follows is the result of approximately 3 years of
dabbling, snooping, and poking around in an almost innumerable collection of articles, journals, histories, and primary documents that contain information about the settlement of Virginia - and particularly, its southwestern region. It is based, almost entirely, upon the research of others. Because of the many sources I have read and the overlapping nature of many of the accounts and stories, it is impossible for me to give
appropriate credit to the correct researcher. Many times it was impossible for me to determine which researcher or writer was the primary one and upon whose work another was built. For this reason, I will only attempt to list those sources that have provided me information without trying to connect a given bit of information with the precise work (or works) from which it came. My only real contribution to this document is in the hours of research required to draw it all together and to present it in some historical framework in which it can be understood and appreciated.

This is not a literary work. I have merely allowed the events and characters to weave their own tapestry. No attempt has been made to tell the many stories that are contained in this historical outline. That task will have to be relegated to some point in the future when I have more time, but certainly, there is much to be told. The men and women behind these events, our ancestors, were very remarkable people. Their courage and resourcefulness is legendary. They lived in a pivotal time in the history of our Country. And they chose to live in an area (what is now Southwest Virginia and Upper East Tennessee) that was the Western Frontier of that fledgling country during the period of its most turbulent and precarious existence. The very fact that our Nation survived at all, is due in no small part to their bravery and sacrifice.

I have attempted to be as accurate as possible in relating the characters, events, and dates that are listed. But only so much accuracy can be guaranteed. Many times there were discrepancies in the many documents from which they came. When possible I did further research to resolve these discrepancies. Sometimes, I could only attempt to arrive at what I believed to be the "best guess".

This document should be considered a "work-in-progress", subject to continual additions and revisions, as more and better information is discovered. Accepting it as that, I hope you find it interesting and informative. But more importantly, I hope that you gain a greater appreciation of the rich "heritage that is ours" - and that you will join me in the continuing quest to learn even more !

Danny Dixon
March, 1997

Prior to 1500

• The Romans, the Phoenicians, the Egyptians, and others have legends about crossing the great Atlantic and discovering a vast Western Land. Who really was first, is a mystery that probably will never be solved.

1001
- Leif Erickson (a Norsman) landed on the coast of N.America

1169
- The lost American Colony of Welsh Prince Madoc (White Indian Tribe, Mandan)

1492
- Columbus "discovers" the "New World".

1500’s

1539
- Desoto explores the Hoslton River to its source

1540
- Cherokee arrive in the region.

1584
- Sir Walter Raleigh establishes an English Settlement at Ocracoke Inlet
( N.Carolina )

1585
- Sir Walter Raleigh establishes a settlement at Roanoke Island

1586
- Sir Francis Drake sets off several hundred Turkish and other Muslim sailors
(on Roanoke Island.) that he had freed from the jails of the Spanish settlement
at Cartegena in the Caribean) ( The original Melungeons)

1587
- The English over-run the Spanish settlement of Santa Elena (Beaufort, S.Car.)
Many Iberian settlers (Portuguese and Spanish) are abandoned or otherwise
cut off and left to survive in the wilderness. ( The second major source of
Melungeons)

1600’s

1607
- (May 15) The London Company Expedition lands at Chesapeake Bay and
founds Jamestown. (1st permanent English Settlement in N. America)

1642
- (March) Walker Austin, Rice Hoe, Joseph Johnson, and Walter Chiles are
given permission by the Va. House of Burgesses to "undertake the discovery
of of a new river west and southerly from the Appomattox."

1644
- The Eastern Indians, under Opechancanough, Powhattan’s brother, are defeated
and the way is opened for settlers to safely travel into the Western frontier.
- The Va. Council ordered the building of forts at the falls of the Appomatox,
James, and Pamunkey Rivers, and on the Chicahominy Ridge.

1645
- Major Abraham Wood is placed in charge of the garrison at Ft. Henry near
present day Petersburg.

1650
- Major Abraham Wood’s first trip from Ft. Henry to present day Clarksville where he noted several well worn trails leading further West. These he noted for future explorations.

1653
- (July) The Va. House of Burgesses passed an Act to encourage the exploration &
discoveries of two other parties of explorers. ( all Shires of the House of Burg.)
Only Major Abraham Wood followed up on the opportunity.

1654
- General Abraham Wood, who founded the settlement at the falls of the
Appomattox River (Petersburg, Va.) passed through Wood’s Gap in the Blue
Ridge Mtns. and on to Wood’s River. (now New River)
- General Wood becomes a member of the House of Burgesses

1669
- John Lederer, a German Physician, journeyed to the top of the Blue Ridge Mtn.
chain at Front Royal and observed the vast Shenandoah Valley. His glowing
reports encouraged other explorers.

1671
- Thomas Batts, Robert Fallam, Thomas Woods, etc. (led by Parachute, an
Appomattox Indian ) traveled for 25 days, through Wood’s Gap and on to
Giles County, on present day New River. ( exped. formed by Gen. Wood)
- Capt. Henry Batte, under the direction of Gov. Berkely, crossed through Wood’s
Gap and on to Saltville, where he encountered the Yuchi (or Xualans) trading
salt to other tribes.

1673
- Janes Needham & Gabriel Arthur travel to Chota, into Ky. (via Cumberland Gap), etc. and report back to Gen. Abraham Wood who organized the expedition.
Meet an Indian who describes his ordeal while held captive by Melungeons.

1690
- Dority, a citizen of Eastern Va., visits the Cherokee on the Little Tenn. River and
trades with them.

1700’s

1714
- French Settlers at French Lick (Nashville) trade with Indians & Melungeons

1716
- Governor Spotswood and his "Knights of the Golden Horseshoe" travel to the
Shenandoah River. Formally encourages western exploration.

1726
- Mackey and Sallings explore the Valley of Va.. Salling is captured by Cherokee
and taken to Tennessee Village. Accompanies them to salt lick in Ky. where
he is captured by a band of Illinois Indians and taken to Kaskaskia. Adopted by an
old squaw and travels with them on several trips on the Mississippi R. (once to
the Gulf of Mexico) Purchased by Spainards there, as interpreter, and taken to
Canada. Redeemed by the Spanish Gov. and sent to the Dutch Settlements in
New York. From there he eventually makes his way home.

1730
- Sir Alexander Cummings is sent by the King of England to meet with the
Cherokee Chief Moitoy - took 6 Indians back to England to met with the
King. (among them Attacullaculla (Little Carpenter), and Oconostota (Great
Warrior)

1732
- Joist Hite (of Penn.) settles a few miles S of Winchester, Va. and thus becomes
the first known white settler W of the Blue Ridge Mtns. John Lewis, Peter
Sallings, and _____Mackey soon follow and settle near Staunton, the forks
of the James R., etc.
- Daniel Boone is born in Exeter, Penn. (a Quaker)
- Elisha Wallen is born in Prince George Co., Maryland.

1733
- (10/15) Nathaniel Gist was born in Baltimore (son of Christopher Gist II, and father of the famous Cherokee, Sequoyah .)

1738
- Nancy Ward, "the Wild Rose of the Cherokee", prophetess and "Beloved
Woman" of her tribe is born. (played a very significant role in White/Indian
relationships, treaties, etc. until her death in 1824) She sat at the head of
the influential Woman’s Council and was a voting member of the Council
of Chiefs. She also had absolute power over the fate of prisoners.

1740
- ____ Vaughan (of Amelia Co.) was employed as a packman to accompany a
number of Indian Traders to the Cherokee Nation. The last hunter’s cabin he
saw as he traveled along the Hunter’s Trail ( later Wilderness Rd.) to E.Tenn. was
on Otter River - a branch of the Staunton R. (Bedford Co.)

1743
- Arthur Campbell is born in Augusta Co., Va. (Yellow Creek)

1744
- Charles Kilgore is born in County Fife in Scotland.
- Jonathan Wood I is born.

1745
- William Campbell is born.
- John Sevier is born in the Shenandoah Valley of Va.

1748
- Steven Holston settles at the headwaters of the Middle Fork of the Holston R.
- Thomas Inglis and his 3 sons, Mrs. Draper and her son & daughter, Adam
Harman, Henry Leonard, and James Burke settle on and near the New River.
Establish a settlement called " Draper’s Meadows". Other settlers soon follow.
( Crocketts, Sayers, Cloyds, McGavocks, McCalls, etc.)
- Jacob Castle moves to Castlewood and lives with the Indians there.(an outcast
from the New R. Settlement)
- James Davis buys land from Steven Holston and calls it "Davis’ Fancy".
- Capt. James Patton leads Thomas Walker’s 1st Expedition into S.W. Va.
(also John Buchannan, Charles Campbell, James Woods, John Finley,
Charles St. Clair, William Clinch, etc.)(Debatable if he went to Bristol or
Cumberland Gap) (Probably only to Bristol area.)

1749
- Adam Harman’s house, at Inglis Ferry on New R., is robbed of furs by Indians.
( the first known raid W of the Alleghany Mtns.)

1750
- Samuel Stalnaker erects a cabin 9 miles W of Steven Holston’s cabin .
- Dr. Thomas Walker’s 2nd Expedition through S.W.Va., Cumberland Gap,
Ky., and back to New River.

1751
- (4/1/51) Capt. Christopher Gist (a Scout for G.Washington) commissioned by
Ohio Land Co. to explore S.W. Va. area (Wise Co. - Ky.) First white man to
explore Wise Co. and leave a record.

1753
- Nathaniel Gist trades with the Overhill Cherokees
- James Burke settles in Burke’s Garden (Tazewell Co.)
- Charles Sinclair settles in Sinclair’s Bottom
- James Patton is busy surveying and selling land under his land grant in S.W. Va.
- (6/53) Governor & Council of Va. renew the Loyal Land Co.’s land grant and
give them 4 years to complete their surveys and seating of land.
- Joseph and Esther Crockett settle at the headwaters of the S.Fork of the Holston River - (7/53) Dr. Thomas Walker (of Loyal Land Co.) quickly proceeds to survey land in S.W. Va. (near Abingdon) by 1754 he had surveyed and sold 224 tracts
containing 45,249 acres of land.
- (11/53) The Va. House of Burgesses passes an Act encouraging settlers on the
Mississippi R. to strengthen their hold and claim to the lands West of the
Allegheany. ( As a buffer to the impending conflicts with the French. )

1754
- The French & Indian War Begins
- John Finley trades with the Shawnee in Kentucky and learns of the Cumb. Gap
- Nathaniel Gist resides and trades with the Cherokee at Long Island (Kgspt.)

1755
- Simon Kenton (aka- Butler) is born near Hopewell, Va. Became a very important explorer and aid to settlers traveling the Ohio R. into Kentucky Territory.
- (7/8) Raid on the Draper’s Meadows Settlements (New R.) Mary Inglis is taken captive and later makes her escape and harrowing trip back home.
- (7/9) Daniel Boone serves as Teamster to Gen. Edward Braddock. Army
ambushed by 800 French & Indians at Turtle Creek. (Forks of Ohio R.)
There meets John Finley (another teamster) and hears of Kentucky Territory.
- James Burke’s cabin raided (Burke’s Garden) his family is killed/captured.
- Samuel Stalnaker’s cabin (Holston R.) raided. Wife & children killed, he is
taken prisoner, later escapes.
- (7/55) Richard Pearis, a trader with the Cherokee on the Holston River, wrote
a letter to the Gov. of Va. requesting a land grant at the Long Island of the
Holston.
- Daniel Boone marries Rebecca Bryan and they move to Eastern Va.

1756
- Gov. of Va. engages 130 Cherokees with the Rangers to go with Maj. Lewis to
destroy the Shawnee Towns on the Ohio R. Expedition fails but the friendly
relations created continued until the Revolutionary War.(Led by William Inglis)
Raners led by Capt. William Preston, nephew of a settler killed at Draper’s
Meadow. ( Called "The Big Sandy Voyage" ) ( 263 white men ) Suffered
many hardships, neared starvation, saved only by Lewis’ firm leadership.
- Gov. of Va. commissions the building of additional forts across the frontier.
- Ranger Companies organized all across the frontier to monitor, run down, &
capture marauding Shawnee War Parties.
- Gov. Dinwiddie sent Peter Randolph & William Byrd to Cherokees to make
a treaty with them for their help against the French & Indians.
- (4/24/56) Gov. dispatched Maj. Andrew Lewis and 60 men into Cherokee
territory to erect a fort (Ft. Loudon) as prescribed in the above treaty.
( Left in June, down Holston to Tenn. to a spot about 30 miles from
Knoxville. Cherokee very pleased. Agreed to send 400 Indians to help
Colonists - eventuall only sent 7 warriors and 3 squaws.. (The French had
bought them off.)
- (7/29/56) A Council of War was assembled at Staunton by the directive of the
Gov. of Va. to determine where forts should be built, strengthened, etc.
- The New River Lead Mines are discovered by Col. John Chiswell.

1757
- Steven Holston is captured by Indians, escapes and returns to Holston
Settlements.

1758
- William Ingles builds a cabin and a small fort on his land at the crossing of the
New River, for the protection of the travelers & nearby settlers. (16’x 14’ -
two-story)
- Arthur Campbell taken captive by the Indians, later escapes.

1759
- The French are expelled from Canada & the Ohio Valley
- Cherokee Braves, returning from supporting Colonists in the Battle against
Du Quesne, are mistakenly thought to be horse thieves and fired upon by
settlers (killing 12-14). Aroused deep resentment and deadly retaliation by
the Cherokee. Ft. Loudon was immediately forced into a state of emergency
settlers attacked and forced to take shelter in the fort. All communication and
supply was cut off.
- Numerous murderous raids by Cherokee all across the frontier.
- Daniel Boone moves back to the Yadkin River Valley, in N.Carolina

1760
- First settlement in Lee Co. (Martin’s Station) near Rose Hill by Joseph Martin.
- " D. Boon cilled a bar on this tree in the year 1760" (East Tenn.)
- Col. William Byrd dispatched to assemble a company of riflemen to rescue the
colonists under seize at Ft. Loudon. Delayed most of Summer as volunteers
gradually arrived at Fort Chiswell then Fort Robinson. During the delay, he
used his time to widen and improve the Wilderness Rd. to a wagon road from
New River to the Long Island on the Holston. Unfortunately, by the time his
volunteers arrived (600) , it was too late for those in the fort and they were all
taken prisoner or killed subsequent to their negotiating with the Cherokees for
their permission to be allowed to vacate the fort and march our of the area.
- Daniel Trabue was born near Richmond.(later became a very important leader
in the Kentucky Settlements - Provisioner of outposts there)

1761
- First known Long Hunters in the S.W. Va. area (led by Elisa Wallen) explored
part of Scott Co., much of Lee, through Cumberland Gap into Ky.
(Renamed Powell Valley & River, after finding Ambrose Powell’s name carved
on so many trees in the area., also renamed Cumberland Gap, Wallen’s Station,
Wallen Ridge, and Wallen Creek) His success & stories encouraged many
others to follow.
- Gilbert Christian & 6 other men establish a temporary settlement at Long Island.

1762
- William Inglis begins to operate a Ferry across the New River. (night & day)
( income $1000/month) (operated by his brother-in-law John Draper)

1763
- "Treaty of Peace" segned between England & France in Paris (2/10/1763)
- Wallen’s 2nd Long Hunt - through Cumberland Gap - to headwaters of the
Cumberland River - to "Stinking Creek", to Rockcastle area (Crab Orchard)
(which became an important point on the Wilderness Rd.)
- The 5 Kilgore Brothers immigrate to America. ( N. Carolina)

1764
- Col. Boquet published a Royal Proclamation forbidding whites to hunt or
settle West of the Alleghany Mountains.(10/17/64) (accomplished little if
anything, largely ignored by hunters and settlers) It did, however retard the
efforts of the Land Companies in their surveying/speculating efforts.
- Dr. Thomas Walker, however, continues to survey and sell land for the
" Loyal Land Co." on the Holston and Clinch Rivers, as if there were no Law.

1765
- Arthur Campbell purchases 740 acres of land at the headwaters of the Holston
River on which he built his plantation called, " Royal Oak".
- Robert (Robin) Kilgore is born in N.Carolina.

1767
- Daniel Boone’s first recorded trip into S.W. Va.. From Yadkin River Valley in N.Carolina to Haysi, following the Russell Fork downstream to the Breaks,
skirted the gorge through the site of the park, then downstream to where the
Russell Fork joins with the Levisa R. to form the Big Sandy. Spent winter &
returned home in the Spring of 1768.
- Elisha Wallen is elected Capt. of County Militia under Maj. Theophilas Lay.
- Jonathan Wood I marries Nancy Davidson Osborne.

1768
- Patrick Henry comes to S.W. Va. to acquire land along the Clinch River.
He fails to find his 3000 acre survey (mistakenly looked for the Moccasin Cr.
entrance to the Clinch, which it doesn’t) Spent some time at Long Island .
- Great Battle between 200 Cherokee and several hundred Shawnees at
Rich Mountain. (over hunting rights)
- Col. Arthur Campbell builds "Royal Oak" near Marion, Va., became a major land-mark and way-station along the Wilderness Road.

1769
- 1st Settlers in Scott County (Thomas McCulloch) ( Big Moccasin Valley)
(abandoned in 1771 because of hostile Indian activity)
- David Cox leaves Boone’s hunting party in Elizabethton and journeys through
Moccasin Gap to area around Ft.Blackmore. Captured by Indians (2-4 yrs.)
later escapes and brings glowing reports of the area back to the Yadkin R.
Valley of N.Carolina. Influences many others (including John Blackmore)
to settle there later.
- Daniel Boone’s first trip to Kentucky via Moccasin Gap & Cumberland Gap. ( led by John Finley, also: James Holden, James Mooney, William Cooley, and John Stewart)
- Joseph Martin builds a fort at Martin’s Station. (enclosing 1/2 acre)
- 1st settlers in Castlewood area (Patrick Porter, Russells, Snoddy’s, etc.)
- William Campbell, his Mother and other family members move to an estate
on the Holston River.
- Capt. William Bean settles on Boone’s Creek (his son Russell was the 1st
white child born in what is now Tenn.)
- Large rush of settlers into S.W. Va. & East Tenn. areas
- Cherokees invade the land of the Chickasaws and are defeated - losing many
Cherokee Braves. (for several years afterwards they are much less inclinded
toward war.)

1770
- "Treaty of Lochaber S.Carolina" with Cherokees creates the Donalson Indian
Line. Shawnees do not recognize or accept the Treaty - led to Lord Dunmore’s
War of 1774.
- Peter Livingston settles on the N. fork of the Holston R. (mouth of Livingston
Creek near Mendota)
- Arthur Campbell receives permission to erect a mill at Royal Oak. (the first
on either the Holston or Clinch Rivers, or tributaries)
- Sequoyah is born in the old Cherokee Country (location unknown)
(his father is Nathaniel Gist - a white trader amont the Cherokee)

1771
- May, "Regulators" from N.Carolina rebelled against Gov. Tryon over his refusal to grant their requests for relief from oppression & taxes. Defeated, many killed, survivors dispersed - many came to Holston & Clinch River Valleys to settle.
- Anthony Bledsoe surveys the Va./N.Carolina boundary far enough W. to
determine that the Watauga settlements were in N.Carolina.
- Alexander Cameron, a British Agent, orders all settlers off the Indian land.
John Sevier & James Robertson immediately set about to devise ways to
avoid the order.

1772
- James Green settles in the neighborhood of Ft.Blackmore
- Patrick Porter moves from Castlewood to his survey on Falls Creek
(shortly begins to build Porter’s Fort on the site)
- "The Clinch Scouts" (Indian Spies) are organized to keep track of Indian
activity in the region.
- The Watauga Association is formed (the first majority-ruled system of American Democratic Government) and leases land from the Cherokees
for 10 years. (John Carter was chairman)( of the 256 original signers, scarcely a
dozen were living 10 years later, of these - only 1 had died a natural death.)
- Abraham & James Fulkerson settle at Dowell Gap (Hilton area)

1773
- Fort Blackmore is built by Capt. John Blackmore
- Daniel Boone & Capt. William Russell meet in the Clinch Valley to plan a
settlement in Kentucky.
- (9/25/73) Boone, his family, and 5 other families depart for Ky.
- Jonathan Wood & James Davidson (his brother in law) move to the site
of the 1st settlement in Scott Co. (Big Moccasin Valley)
- Charles Kilgore moves to Scott Co. and joins Patrick Porter at Falls Creek.
- Col. Richard Henderson retires as N.Carolina Judge and steps up his plans
to acquire and speculate on a large tract of Kentucky land
- James Boone & Henry Russell (and party) are ambushed and killed by Indians
atop Powell Mtn. near the Lee Co. line.
- Boone and family return to Moore’s Ft.(Castlewood) to spend the winter.
- Fall - Shawnee grow increasingly more hostile, a general out-break seems
eminent.

1774
- (3/2/74) Patrick Porter builds Porter’s Mill at his settlement on Falls Creek
- (4/14/74) Rev. Charles Cummings purchases 300 acres on the headwaters of
Wolfe Hills Creek (Abingdon), from Dr. Thomas Walker
- Houston’s Fort is built by William Houston & Jonathan Wood, etc. in Big
Moccasin Valley.
- Crissman’s Fort is built in Rye Cove by Isaac Crissman
- (4/20/74) Chief Logan’s family is massacred on Yellow Creek, Ohio and he
begins to exact his vengenance on the settlers in the region.
- Daniel Boone & Michael Stoner are sent from Castlewood to Kentucky to warn surveyers of the Indian uprising. (C - Ft.Black - Cum. Gap - Ky - Falls of Ohio at Louisville, and back again in only 61 days. (over 800 miles) )
- (7/1774) William Robinson is captured by Logan and forced to write out a
message explaining the reason for his anger and vengeance.
- Cherokee Billy, a relative of Chief Oconostota, is innocently killed at a horse
race on the Watauga R. by Isaac Crabtree, a survivor of the Boone massacre.
Settlers refuse to turn him in or condemn his actions, Part of the Cherokee
Nation goes on the warpath - the whole frontier is threatened.
- * By August, almost all of S.W. Va./ E.Tenn. settlers are forced to move to
forts for protection.
- D. Boone is placed in charge of the forts along the Clinch River
- (9/74) Fort Blackmore is attacked by Logan
- Moore’s Fort is attacked again
- (10/74) Shelby’s Fort is attacked by Logan
- (10/74) Fort Blackmore is attacked again by Logan - Dale Carter is killed.
- (10/10/74) Patrick Porter goes to fight the Shawnee Chief, Cornstalk, at the
Battle of Point Pleasant (Holston forces led by Capt.Evan Shelby, Clinch forces by Capt. William Russell, New River forces by Capt. William Herbert) There meets Logan who asks him to take Dale into his family and raise him.
(named him Arter Dale - he later became a Preacher in Scott & Wise area)

1775
- Duncan’s Fort built by Raleigh Duncan.
- January, freeholders of Fincastle Co. meet at the Leadmines (near Wytheville)
to consider the British situation and their attempts to rein in the settlers. Declared
their resolve to resist to the death. ("deliberately and resolutely determined never to surrender
our inestimable priviledges to any power on earth but at the expense of our lives.")called the
"Fincastle Resolution".
- Late Jan. 1775, Col. Richard Henderson leads a heavily laden wagon caravan
by Royal Oak, enroute to deliver trade goods to Cherokee.
- "Treaty of Watauga"- (3/17/75) at Sycamore Shoals, Col. Richard Henderson,
Daniel Boone, and over 1200 Cherokees meet to negotiate the purchase of a
vast area of land in Kentucky. (Dragging Canoe refuses to sign and vows a bloody future)
- Daniel Boone and 30 axemen, carve out the Wilderness Road.
- July 15, "Committee of Safety" assembled at the Lead Mines and voted to
support Patrick Henry’s attempt to remove the gunpowder stored in Williamsburg
"fully justifying and supporting his actions."
- July 20, Continental Congress declared a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer
throughout the colonies.
- July 20, Committee of Safety for Fincastle Co. immediately dispatched 2
companies of choice riflemen to assist Patrick Henry in Williamsburg .
(commanded by Capt. William Campbell & Capt. William Russell) There
Campbell met Elizabeth Henry, who later became his wife.

1776
- Capt. William Campbell and Elizabeth Henry are married and move to
Aspen Vale.
- The Revolutionary War begins
- Dragging Canoe leads a band of about 1000 Cherokees across the Holston at
Long Island to terrorize the settlers.
- Ft. Houston is attacked by an estimated 300 Cherokees
(Samuel Cowan rides from Ft.Blackmore to warn the fort - is killed leaving
Ft. Houston to warn other outposts)
- Isaac Crissman is killed at Rye Cove by Indians
- Jacob Lewis family settle in what is now Wise Co. - at head of Stock Creek,
entire family is massacred. (he,wife + 7 children)
- Archibald Scott builds a log Ft.house alongside trace leading through Kane
Gap to Powell Valley - at head of Wallen Branch, became a noted stop-over
on the Wilderness Road.
- Alexander Ritchie (12 yrs. old) goes to Ft.Blackmore to serve as a Clinch
Scout/ Indian Spy.
- May 6, First Constitutional Convention assembles in Williamsburg -
Representatives from Fincastle Co. - (Arthur Campbell & William Russell)
- July 19, "Battle of Long Island Flats"
- July 20, Black’s Fort is built in Abingdon
- Sept., Col. William Russell erects Ft. Patrick Henry at Long Island
- October, Col. Christian leads a force of 2000 riflemen against the Cherokee
Villages, destroying all but Chota (because of Nancy Ward who with Isasc
Thomas piloted the party) Returned to Ft. Patrick Henry and disposed men
to several area Forts for defence.
- Dec.31, Fincastle Co. divided into Montgomery, Washington, Kentucky Co’s.

1777
- Joseph Carter repairs Crissman’s Fort at Rye Cove and renames it Carter’s Ft.
- Chief Benge leads a raid on Fort Blackmore (Mathew Gray’s Turkey Hunt)
- "Shawnee War"
- Jane Whitaker & Polly Alley are carried off by Benge, later escape.
- Block House built by John Anderson in Carter’s Valley. Became a major
meeting place for settlers heading W. along the Wilderness Road.
- May, Nathaniel Gist assembled a meeting of Cherokee Chiefs at Long Island
to negotiate a treaty between them and the Commonwealth of Va.
(Col. William Christian, Col. William Preston, & Maj. Evan Shelby acted as Va. Commissioners)
all Indians signed by Dragging Canoe & his Chickamauga supporters.
- G. Rogers Clark, prior to his attack on Kaskaskia traveled with a large band of
men escorting some settlers back from Harrodsburg & Logans Station along the
Wilderness Rd. to Holston Valley. Caravan bivouacked at Carter’s Ft. (Rye
Cove), passed Ft.Blackmore, Moore’s Ft. - stopped at Royal Oak, stayed the
night with Col Arthur Campbell - on to Williamsburh where he met with Gov.
Henry and later T. Jefferson , George Wythe, & George Mason to discuss a
preemptive raid. Several volunteers for his campaign came from the Clinch
& Holston Valleys and travelled the Wilderness Rd. and met up with the main
body at the Falls of the Ohio - Corn Island.
- July 4, Logan’s Station (Ky.) attacked by 100 Indians - under seige until Sept.,
when Capt. Benjamin Logan and a number of friends slipped out, travelled to
Holston Settlements for supplies & reinforcements (Wolfe Hills). Returned with
40 riflemen in 10 days and lifted the seige.
- Capt. Joseph Martin appointed Indian Agent for Cherokees. (stationed to Long
Island)

1778
- Daniel Trabue and 6 others travel the Wilderness Rd. to Kentucky
(became responsible for coordinating the supplies of Ky. settlements)
- G. Rogers Clark and 175 men cross treacherous rapids and capture Kaskaskia
& Cahokia. (June 24)

1779
- Spring, G. Rogers Clark sends Lord Henry Hamilton ("Hair Buyer") via
Wilderness Rd. to Eastern Va. (encounter sleet & hail between Lee Co.and Moccasin Gap. Some
men nearly drown crossing the Clinch River. Hamilton crosses in a small canoe, on to Williamsburg)
- Arthur Campbell commissioned as Sheriff of Washington Co. (2/16/79)
- The "Tavern" is built in Abingdon
- Capt. William Campbell leads a militia group that defeats Tories trying to take
over the lead mines in Montgomery County.
- Jesse Evans’ family is attacked near the headwaters of the Clinch and 4 of his
children are killed and scalped while he is at work in the fields. Ms. Evans
heroism saves herself and her baby.
- Col. William Fleming, an enfeebled old veteran from Christiansburg, is
recruited to head a Commission in Kentucky to administer land transactions
and claims. Travels the Wilderness Road.
- Oct., the Va. General Assembly pass an Act to improve the Wilderness Rd.
(lobying by Calloway and Harrod)
- " A Very Bitterly Cold Winter " - leaves down by Aug., streams frozen, etc.
- John Blackmore leaves Ft. Blackmore and travels down the Clinch by flat boat
to Nashboro.
- Isaac Shelby and David Campbell are elected to the Va. Gen. Assembly to
to serve the people of Washington Co.
- Dr. Thomas Walker and Daniel Smith, for Va. & Richard Henderson and
William B. Smith, for N. Carolina, are appointed to survey the line between
the two states. The line drawn drastically reduced the territory that had been
considered part of Washington Co., Va.

1780
- Feb.- Sullivan Co., N.Carolina is formed at the home of Moses Loony (later Tennessee) from the disputed territory surveyed in 1779.
- William Dorton is killed by Indians
- Sept. - Col. Arthur Campbell leads a force of 200 men from Abingdon to Sycamore Shoals to join Col. William Campbell’ troops who are mustering for the Battle of King’s Mtn.
- (Oct. 7) "The Battle of King’s Mountain" (Charles Kilgore, Jonathan Wood, Isaac Shelby,
John Sevier, Col. William Campbell, etc.)
- Patrick Porter placed in charge of Forts in Clinch Valley during the battle.
- Col. Arthur Campbell is left at Abingdon with some militiamen to defend
that part of the frontier during the battle.
- Logan killed by kinsmen
- (Nov. & Dec.) John Kinkead (a Scotsman from Clinch Valley) headed a crew
of woodsmen to widen & improve the Wilderness Rd..
- Col. Arthur Campbell leads an attack against Tories in N.Carolina and the
Cherokee Towns. (destroyed 14 Towns and much corn)

1781
- James Green and Jane Porter are married.
- Spring - Col. Arthur Campbell marches with 150 volunteers against the
Cherokee- destroys 3 Towns, killed 20 Indians, rescued 15 captives.(mostly children)
- Capt. Joseph Martin, at Long Island, takes 65 men on a 19 day expedition
against the Cherokee settlements below Cumberland Gap to the mouth of Powell
River. to disperse a body of Indians who were molesting travelers along the Rd.
- (Oct. 17) Rev. Lewis Craig leads a large group (500) of his congregation from
Upper Spotsylvania Bapt. Church to Ft.Chiswell.. Must sell their wagons there
and continue along Wilderness Rd. to Kentucky - to minister to settlers there.

1783
- James Green and Robert Kilgore are killed by Indians at Indian Creek near
Pound, Va. (his widow, Jane Porter Green later married Rev.Robin Kilgore)
- Gen. George Rogers Clark again travels the Wilderness Road, penniless, to plead
his cause before the Governor of Virginia in Richmond. He had borrowed and
spent his own money to fund the war, only to be left in debt to hundreds of
creditors afterwards. (Received little more that their official thanks and was
relieved of his command.)

1784
- Reverend Francis Asbury, the Great Methodist Preacher, is elected the first Methodist Bishop in America (toured the frontier from Atlantic to Miss. R.
for over 40 years, ordained over 3000 Preachers, delivered over 17000 sermons.
- (10/84) Col. James Knox led a large party from Staunton to Long Island. Joined
by others, the number swelled to over 300. They traveled from Long Island to
Bean Station, where 200 more settlers joined them to form a narrow band which
stretched nearly 2 miles along the trail. Despite Indian attacks and measles, they
eventually arrived safely at Crab Orchard in Ky.
- (10/84) Col. William Whitley, (who built and lived at "Sportsman’s Hill", a red
brick mansion near Skagg’s Creek in Ky.) a famous Irish defender of the Ky.
frontier, responded to an Indian raid near the headwater’s of the creek where
several travelers were killed and taken prisoner. His group overtook the Indians
freed the captives, and killed 2 of the raiders.("Sportsman’s Hill" was the first
brick house in Ky.)(His steadfast defence of the area helped make travel safer
for the thousands of settlers coming through the territory.)
- John Sevier reports encountering the Melungeons.
- Col. Arthur Campbell and John Sevier lead a secession movement of S.W.Va. and E. Tenn. to form the State of Franklin. Gov. Patrick Henry makes several
concessions to the movement just in time to stop it.

1785
- Benge massacres Archibald Scott’s family and carries Mrs. Fannie Scott away.
She later escapes and returns home.
- Robert (Robin) Kilgore and Jane Porter Green are married.

1786
- The Kilgore Fort House is built about 3 miles W. of Nickelsville, by Robin
Kilgore.
- Russell County is formed.
- "The Last Great Battle" between the Cherokee and Shawnee is fought at
the headwaters of the Clinch River.
- (10/86) 21 people are massacred (from the McNitt, Ford, and Barnes families)
at a spring in present day Levi Jackson State Park near London, Ky.
- (12/86) John Stuart, British Indian Agent, and the Cherokees enter into a treaty
which established the Northern Boundary of the Cherokee Land as a line
extending from a pt. 6 miles above Long Island (on the Holston R.) straight to
the confluence of the Ohio & Kanawha Rivers. - thus opening S.W. Va. to legal
settlement.

1788
- Col. Arthur Campbell is chosen as a Representative to the Constitutional
Convention in Richmond, to consider the new U.S. Constitution for ratification.
(Constitution was ratified by a vote of 89 to 79, with Patrick Henry, James
Monroe, and George Mason opposing it.)

1789
- (10/1/89) Jenny Wiley is kidnapped from the upper Clinch R. Valley .

1790
- Benjamin Bolling (from Wilkes Co., N.C.) settles on Guest River not far from
present day Esserville. He built a cabin and claimed a vast amount of land.
- Dorton Fort is built 1 mile East of the Kilgore Fort House. (S. of Nickelsville)

1792
- Richard Wells settles in upper Powell Valley.
- Shawnees from Ohio attack David Musick’s family on the Clinch R., capture his
wife and 5 children and flee toward the Breaks Gorge where the Pound R. joins
the Russell Fork. There a Pioneer rescue party overtakes them, attacks them (at
dawn) and frees the captives. (1 Indian killed, 1 wounded, others flee)
- The First Mail Route is established between the Holston Settlements and Danville, Kentucky.

1793
- Lee County is formed.
- (3/21/93) Thomas Ross, the first mail carrier along the newly established mail
route, accompanied by Joseph Brown and Col. Jacob Friley, are ambushed by
Indians at Little Laurel. Ross is killed.
- Bishop Francis Asbury’s first trip over Wilderness Rd. to Ky. where he organized
the Kentucky Conference.

1794
- (4/6/94) Benge attacks the Peter Livingston home (15 miles W. of Abingdon,
between Mendota and Hiltons) in an attempt to steal slaves to sell to the British.
He also kidnaps Mrs. Livingston.
- (4/15/94) Benge is overtaken and ambushed by the Militia from Lee Co., led by
Lt. Vincent Hobbs, (and a party of 13), near Big Stone Gap. Benge is killed and
be-headed, and all the captives freed.

1795
- Rev. Samuel Hilton moves from N.Carolina and builds a cabin on the banks of the
N. Fork of the Holston River at present day Hiltons, Va..
- E. Tennessee Census lists 300 "free persons" of color.(Melungeons)

1796
- Gov. Shelby, of Kentucky, considers who to hire to widen and improve the
Wilderness Road to a wagon road from Gap to Crab Orchard. Although D.Boone applies, Col. James Knox and Joseph Crockett (of Holston R. area) are chosen to
supervise the project. (completed 10/15)
- Moses Austin (who owned a lead mine on New R. above Inglis Ferry) and his son Stephen (who was later a founding father of Texas) travel over Wilderness Rd.
from New R. to Gov. Shelby’s home (Traveler’s Rest) and reported that "a traveler could spend each night of his travels underneath a roof"

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