USA > Virginia > Tazewell County > Tazewell County > Annals of Tazewell County, Virginia from 1800 to 1922 > Part 32
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[402]
Value of lands.
403
BICKLEY'S HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, VA.
TABLE SHOWING NUMBER ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONS, TRADES.
No. of physicians in the county
10
No. of lawyers in the county.
8
No. of teachers in the county.
36
No. of merchants in the county
22
No. of clerks in the county
9
No. of saddlers in the county
10
No. of painters in the county
1
No. of printers in the county
2
No. of hatters in the county
2
No. of shoemakers in the county
10
No. of brick-masons in the county
7
No. of carpenters in the county.
41
No. of millers in the county.
9
No. of wagon-makers in the county.
11
No. of blacksmiths in the county.
21
No. of tanners in the county
6
No. of cabinet makers in the county.
18
No. of gunsmiths in the county
2
No. of tailors in the county.
8
No. of coopers in the county.
2
No. of tavern keepers in the county
3
No. of barber in the county
1
No. of tinner in the county
1
No. of watchmaker in the county
1
No. of farmers in the county
1922
TABLE LIVE STOCK-KINDS AND VALUE. *
Specified Kinds.
Number
Value.
Horses
5,150
$
309,000.00
Mules and asses
127
$ 8,890.00
Milch cows.
4,576
$ 54,840.00
Working oxen
117
$ 2,340.00
Other cattle
10,260
$
102,600.00
Sheep
19,530
$ 19,530.00
Swine.
20,130
$ 20,130.00
$ 517,330.00
Total value of live stock
TABLE SHOWING VALUE OF LANDS.
Kinds etc.
Amount of each.
Value.
Improved land.
58,110 acres
$ 696,320.00
Unimproved.
220,530 acres
$ 441,060.00
Unentered or in large surveys.
1,641,360 acres
$2,051,700.00
Farming implementst.
value
$ 36,390.00
Total am't of land
1,920,000 acres
$3,225,470.00
* There were slaughtered in the county, during the year 1850, animals to the amount of $38,062. t I have added the value of farming implements in this table, for want of a more convenient place.
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BICKLEY'S HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, VA.
TABLE SHOWING THE PRODUCTIONS OF THE COUNTY AND VALUE*
Name of Articles.
Amount Raised.
Cash Value.
Indian corn.
244,430 bush.
$ 97,772.00
Oats.
124,710 bush.
$ 31,177.75
Wheat.
28,020 bush.
$ 21,020.00
Rye
4,110 bush.
$
2,055.00
Irish potatoes.
2,279 bush.
$ 1,139.50
Sweet potatoes.
772 bush.
$ 386.00
Buckwheat.
3,108 bush.
$ 1,864.80
Hay
1,824 tons
$
18,240.00
Grass seed
48 bush.
$
192.00
Flax
19,350 lbs.
$
1,935.00
Maple sugar ..:
41,244 lbs.
$
4,134.40
Beeswax and honey
12,248 lbs.
$
1,837.20
Tobacco
300 lbs.
$
30.00
Butter.
102,287 lbs.
$
10,228.70
Cheese
6,006 lbs.
$
600.60
Wool
25,360 lbs.
$
7,608.00
Flax seed
910 bush.
$
919.00
Value of home manufactures.
$
25,400.00
Total value.
$ 226,579.95
* Calculated from the census book. It is highly probable that the actual production is con- siderably greater than is shown by the table.
BOOK III.
INDIAN WARS.
CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION TO INDIAN WARS OF TAZEWELL.
[Only a small part of this Introduction is copied.]
From what has been said, it is evident that the name of south-western Viginia, three hundred and twenty years ago, was XUALA; and that it was peopled by a hardy race, whose chief subsistence was the game abounding in their dense mountain-forests ,and the fishes swimming in their clear mountain streams. De Biedma says, "They were a hospitable race," though poor. He tells us, as also other early writers, that those people living south of the Hiwassee, or Tennessee river, lived in log-houses, daubed with clay, and very comfortable during the winter months; but that during the summer they usually reposed in the open air, by fire, or in thickets, and that much of their time was spent in hunting. And further, it is stated, that those of Xuala were, in addition to the chase, fond of manly exercises and war.
To supply the place of iron instruments of a warlike nature, sharp stones, slings, bows and arrows, and clubs were made and used. The inhabitants of all the continent, and especially of the country south of the Potomac, lived in towns, each of which was furnished with a temple, a burial-place, and a mound, on which stood the house of the Cacique, or chief. We are informed by De Biedma, Hacklyt, De Tonty, La Salle, and others, that this was a general custom, and gave rise to those mounds which are now regarded as burial-places, and which are sometimes opened by the whites, who expect to find in them treasures of value.
This mound building leads to some important conclusions, and reminds us strongly of the Egyptian custom of building pyramids .* It is highly probable that the sizes of these mounds are an index to the power of the princes who had them built.
The town built by the Xualan, differed a little from that of the more southern Indians, for they seem to have built a town which was at once a town and a fort. The species of fort needed by the natives of Xuala, dif- fered from what would now be needed by a people who had to defend them- selves against the arms and engines of the nineteenth century. The traces of many of these forts are now to be seen in south-western Virginia. These cannot be Cherokee forts, though they captured the Xualans, and hence became masters of the country, for they do not build forts in the same manner; beside, the trees growing on some of them, prove, beyond doubt, that they have been evacuated three hundred years. That they were towns
* Might not the natives have been originally from Egypt, having been driven thence after em- bracing the religion of the Hebrews?
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BICKLEY'S HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, VA.
as well as forts, is proved by the existence of many fragments of earthen- ware, etc., found on or around them, and from their shape and general location, they were certainly forts.
They were circular, varying in size from three hundred to six hundred feet in diameter. An embankment of earth was thrown up five or six feet, and, perhaps, this mounted by palisades. A few of these towns or forts, were built of stone, and sometimes trenches surrounded them. A stone fort, of great size, stood in Abb's valley, in Tazewell county, Virginia, and has but lately been removed. A large sassafras, which stood near the center of the walls, might, if proper observation had been made, have given some important chronological information, but which, alas! as is too often the case, has been swept off, as if desirous to obliterate the last vestige of the race of red-men.
The remains of a remarkable fort are to be seen on the lands of Mr. Crockett, near Jeffersonville, having evident traces of trenches, and some- thing like a drawbridge. This fort has been evacuated, judging from the timber on it, over two hundred years.
The roads left by the Indians is another source of information, of which few writers have availed themselves. I beg to refer the reader to a report of a company sent out by the French colony in Louisiana, to search for roads. It is to be found in what is usually called Bienville's report, pre- viously referred to.
The principal Indian trails in Tazewell, led through the Clinch Valley, but after the whites began to settle, and the Indians had removed west, their trails all led from the Ohio river. These were probably made by animals, in the first instance; afterward used by the Indians in their visits to their native hills, and have since become roads under the improving hands of the white man.
One of these trails led up the Indian ridge till opposite the trace fork of Tug river; it then crossed over to that branch, and keeping into the lowest gaps of the hills, led into Abb's valley settlement. Another, now much used by the whites, left the ridge and struck Tug river at the mouth of Clearfork creek; thence up it, till it fell over on a branch emptying into the dry fork of Tug river. It then wound up that stream to its head, and passed through Roark's Gap. This led into the Baptist valley settlement. Another came up the La Visee fork of Sandy river, leading into the settlements in the western part of the county. Those trails which passed through the county, always crossed the mountains at the very lowest gap. At these places they have built small monuments of loose stones, piled up with great exactness on each other. Most of these have suffered from the cupidity of the whites. This custom of building stone pillars, reminds us of the cus- tom so common among the Jews at an early period, of marking places where covenants had been made, by piling up stones.
To recapitulate-the south-western portion of Virginia was visited in 1540, by Hernando De Soto, who found the country occupied by the Xualans. These were afterward conquered by the Cherokees, in whose possession the English found the country. The Cherokees were driven out and the country taken possession of by the whites. The country has been claimed by four
409
BICKLEY'S HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, VA.
civilized governments, viz: England, France, Spain, and its present owners. The quantity of game seems to have made the country desirable to the Indians, while its pure water, beautiful scenery, and rich soil seem to have captivated the whites.
There is still remaining another vestige of the Indians, which, if closely observed, might throw some light upon this obscure subject. I refer to the vast collections of bones, or human skeletons, some of immense size, deposited in almost every cavern in this section. It is to be earnestly hoped that some one will be curious enough, or be enough interested to examine this trace of Indian existence in ancient Xuala. Time is passing so rapidly, and laying its blighting finger upon material things with such destroying effect, that there does not remain a day for suspended action. "Now or never," must be the watchword of the historian.
CHAPTER II. HISTORY OF THE SHAWANOES.
[Is omitted.]
CHAPTER III.
DEFENSIVE POSITION OF TAZEWELL DURING THE FRONTIER WAR.
In order to appreciate the true situation of the frontiermen during the long wars which so devastated the settlements, it is essentially necessary that the reader should know the exact position which they occupied, and how much depended upon their own exertions. For this purpose has this chapter been set apart.
Previous to 1776, the settlers were engaged in erecting suitable houses to protect their families from the inclemencies of the weather, as well as to render them more secure from the attacks of the indians. Their lands had to be opened, and consequently, they were much in the forest. As there was an abundance of game, and few domestic animals, their meat was taken mostly from the forest; this likewise took them from home. They were few, and to raise a house, or roll the logs from a field, required the major part of a settlement. This likewise left their families exposed; yet such work was usually executed during the winter months, when the Indians did not visit the settlements. To give further protection to the families of the settlers, in every neighborhood block-houses were, as soon as convenient, erected, to which the families could repair in times of necessity.
After 1776, forts and stations were built, as it became necessary for many of the settlers to join the army. In these forts, and particularly at the stations, a few men were left to defend them. But the extent of country to be defended was so great, and the stations so few, that there was, in reality, but little safety afforded to the families of the settlers.
De Hass has given correct descriptions of block-houses, forts, and stations, to which I beg to refer the reader. There was a fort erected by William Wynn, a strict old Quaker, and one of the best of men, on Wynn's branch; another at Crab orchard, by Thomas Witten, and one at Maiden Spring, by Rees Bowen-two men whose names will be cherished in the memories of the people of Tazewell for ages to come.
There was a station on Linking Shear branch, containing a few men under the command of Capt. John Preston, of Montgomery; another on Bluestone creek, in command of Capt. Robert Crockett of Wythe county,
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BICKLEY'S HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, VA.
and another at the present site of the White Sulphur springs, in command of Capt. James Taylor of Montgomery. It is also said, that there was a station in Burk's Garden; I imagine, however, that it was not constructed by order of the Government.
The following persons, citizens of the county, were posted in these forts and stations, viz:
Bailey, John
Burgess, Edward
Bailey, James
Belcher, Robert
Belcher, Joseph
Brewster, Thomas
Chaffin, Christopher
Maxwell, John
Connelly, James
Maxwell, Thomas
Crockett, John Cotterel, John
Peery, James
Evans, John, Sr.
Pruett, John
Evans, John, Jr.
Thompson, Archibald
Gilbert, Joseph
Witten, James
Godfrey, Absalom
Wynn, Oliver
Hall, William
Wright, Michael
Lusk, David
Ward, John
Lusk, Samuel
Ward, William
Lusley, Robert
Wright, Hezekiah.
Martin, James
These men were to hold themselves in readiness to act as circum- stances might demand. To make them more efficient, spies were employed to hang upon the great trails leading into the settlements from the Ohio. Upon discovering the least sign of Indians, they hurried into the settlements and warned the people to hasten to the forts or stations, as the case might be. They received extra wages for their services, for they were both labor- ious and important, and also fraught with danger. For such an office the very best men were chosen; for it will be readily seen, that a single faith- less spy, might have permitted the Indians to pass unobserved, and commit- ted much havoc among the people, before they could have prepared for defense. But it does not appear that any "spy" failed to give the alarm when possible so to do. They always went two together, and frequently remained out several weeks upon a scout. Great caution was necessary to prevent the Indians from discovering them, hence their beds were usually of leaves, in some thicket commanding a view of the war-path. Wet or dry, day or night, these men were ever on the lookout. The following persons were chosen from the preceding list, to act as spies, viz:
Burgess, Edward Bailey, James Bailey, John Crockett, John
Martin, James Maxwell, John Wynn, Oliver
Witten, James
The last of whom, was one of the most sagacious and successful spies to be
Marrs-(?)
412
BICKLEY'S HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, VA.
found anywhere on the frontier. His name is yet as familiar with the people as if he had lived and occupied a place among them but a day ago .*
Such as were too old to bear arms in the government service, usually guarded the women, children, and slaves, while cultivating the farms. Taze- well had but a small population at this time, yet from the number engaged in the regular service, we should be led to think otherwise. The following table will convey a good idea of their dispersion over the country, their families, in the meantime, exposed to the horrors of the tomahawk and scalping-knife.
Names.
Where Engaged.
Where Killed. King's Mt.
Wounded.
Bowen, Rees.
King's Mountain.
Bowling, Jarret.
Brown, Low.
Clark's Ex. to Illinois ..
Cartmill, James.
Alamance
Dolsberry, Lyles.
Pt. Pleasant, etc
Ferguson, Saml
Alamance
Harrison, Thos.
Brandywine, German- town and Yorktown
Harper, Jesse
Lasly, John
Clark's Ex. to Illinois ..
Maloney, Archer.
Brandywine and Stony Point.
McGuire, Nealy
Clark's Ex. to Illinois .. Alamance
Moore, Capt. Jamest
Peery, William
Alamance and Illinois .. Ex.
Peery, Thomas.
Alamance
Alamance
Alamance
Stratton, Solom
Clark's Ex. to Illinois ..
Tomlinson, Isam
Brandywine, German- town, etc ...
*James Witten was born January 7th, 1759, in the colony of Maryland, and emi- grated to Tazewell with his father, Thomas Witten, in 1773. At this time, though only about fifteen years of age, he was much distinguished as a hunter and woodsman. He was brave and generous to a fault ; and was remarkable for decided action even at this early age. He married in 1783, and became at once a conspicuous character in the border war, which had not yet ceased. From 1794 to '96, he was employed as a regular spy. When any duty requiring bravery, firmness, and prudence, had to be performed, James Witten was the man invariably chosen, as he possessed these quali- ties in an eminent degree. Many incidents of interest are related of him, which should be preserved.
The writer has seen a coat worn by the spy, James Witten. It is now in the possession of William Ed. Perry, a merchant in Tazewell, who is one of his descend- ants. It is in a splendid state of preservation .- Harman.
tCapt. James Moore was afterward killed by the Indians, in Abb's valley. See History of Moore Family.
{This man actually received fifty-four saber cuts in this engagement. He was dis- abled and thrown upon the ground, and as Tarlton's troops passed, each man gave him a cut. His head and arms were literally cut to pieces, yet he recovered, and lived many years to enjoy the freedom which cost him so dearly.
Peery, John
Alamance
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BICKLEY'S HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, VA.
It is a little strange that the frontiers should have furnished so many men for the army, when their absence so greatly exposed their families. But when we reflect that no people felt the horrors of war more sensibly than they did, and that no people are readier to serve the country in the day when aid is needed, than those of mountainous regions, we shall at once have an explanation to their desire, and consequent assistance, in bringing the war to a close. Beside, the people of Tazewell have ever been fore- most in defending the country; showing at once that determination to be free, which so eminently characterizes the people of mountainous districts .*
The reader, by consulting the Map, and learning that during the Indian wars the population did not much exceed five hundred, will see at once that Tazewell county afforded an open field for the depredations of the Indians.
*The following list of persons who served in the war of 1812-14, will corroborate the above statement, viz,
Asbury, William
Higginbotham, James
Tabor, Daniel
Bowen, Col. Henry
Higginbotham, Wm.
Thompson, Henry B.
Barns, William
King, Isaac
Vandyke, Charles
Belcher, James
Lusk, David
Vandyke, John
Peery, Capt. Thomas
Witten, William
Bostic, Isaac Brooks, James
Peery, Jonathan
Wynn, Peter E.
Bainheart, George
Peery, Solomon
Ward, Alexander
Davidson, John
Robertson, David
Wilson, Hugh
Earley, Jeremiah
Stevenson, Matthew
Wynn, Samuel
Franklin, Pleasant
Smith, William
Walls, Joseph
Green, William
Shannon, John
Young, Nathaniel
Gose, Peter
Thompson, Rees B.
Young, Israel
Two companies offered their services to the government to engage in the Mexican war; they were not accepted, however, as a sufficiency of men had already been received. James Wynn and Wesley Hubbard, however, joined the Washington troops ; with these exceptions, Tazewell may be said not to have participated in the war with Mexicc.
CHAPTER IV.
THE EVANS FAMILY.
John, and Jesse Evans, his son, emigrated from Amherst county, Vir- ginia, near Lynchburg, and settled in Tazewell in 1773. John settled at the Locust bottom; Jesse, at a place now owned by Mr. Buze Harman, about a mile distant from his father's place, and eight miles from the present seat of justice .*
In 1777 John Evans was taken prisoner, from the Locust bottom, by a band of Shawanoes, and marched off to the Indian towns in the west. From there, he was taken to some of the Canadian towns, from whence he either escaped or was exchanged, and made his way to Philadelphia. His son, hearing of his arrival at Philadelphia, went after him in the spring of '78, and brought him home. He was much exposed, and represented his suffer- ings as immense. This capitivity, exposure, and anxiety of mind, planted the seeds of consumption, and he fell a victim to its ravages in 1801. -
In the summer of 1779, Jesse Evans left his house with six or eight hired men, for the purpose of executing some work at a distance from home. As they carried with them various farming implements, their guns were left at the house, where Mrs. Evans was engaged in weaving a piece of cloth. Her oldest daughter was filling quills for her; while the remaining four children were either at play in the garden, or gathering vegetables.
The garden was about sixty yards from the house, and as no sawmills were in existence at that day in this county, slab-boards were put up on the manner called "wattling" for palings. These were some six feet long, and made what is called a close fence. Eight or ten Indians, who lay concealed in a thicket near the garden, silently left their hiding-places, and made their way, unobserved, to the back of the garden; there removing a few boards, they bounded through and commenced the horrid work of killing and scalp- ing the children. The first warning Mrs. Evans had was their screams and cries. She ran to the door, and beheld the sickening scene, with such feel- ings as only a mother can feel.
Mrs. Evans was a stout, athletic woman, and being inured to the hard- ships of the times, with her to will was to do. She saw plainly that on her exertions alone could one spark of hope be entertained for the life of her "first-born." An unnatural strength seemed to nerve her arm, and she
*As I have traced the history of this family beyond the limits of Tazewell county, it may not be improper to state my reasons for doing so. In the first place, every incident connected with their history is well worth the perusal, and hence, worthy the attention of the historian. Secondly, one of the largest and most respectable families in this county have sprung from them, to whom it must be interesting to have recorded the deeds of such worthy ancestors. The last, but not least, motive under which I act, is, that common justice to the memory of brave men requires me to give a sufficiency of their history to unfold their characters.
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BICKLEY'S HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, VA.
resolved to defend her surviving child to the last extremity. Rushing into the house she closed the door, which being too small left a crevice, through which in a few seconds an Indian introduced his gun, aiming to pry open the door, and finish the bloody work which had been so fearfully begun. Mrs. Evans had thrown herself against the door to prevent the entrance of the savages, but no sooner did she see the gun-barrel than she seized it, and drew it so far in as to make it an available lever in prying to the door. The Indians threw themselves against the door to force it open, but their efforts were unavailing. The heroic woman stood to her post, well knowing that her life depended upon her own exertions. The Indians now endeavored to wrest the gun from her; in this they likewise failed. Hitherto she had worked in silence; but as she saw no prospect of the Indians relinquishing their object, she began to call loudly for her husband, as if he really were
near. It had the desired effect; they let go the gun, and hastily left the house, while Mrs Evans sat quietly down to await a second attack; but the Indians, who had perhaps seen Mr. Evans and his workmen leave the house, feared he might be near, and made off with all speed.
While Mrs. Evans was thus sitting and brooding over the melancholy death of her children, anxious to go to those in the garden, but fearing to leave her surviving one in the house, exposed to a second attack, a man named Goldsby stepped up to the door. Never did manna fall to the hun- gered Jew more opportunely; yet no sooner did he hear her woeful tale, than he turned his back upon her, and fled as if every tree and bush had been an Indian taking deadly aim at him. Such were his exertions to get to a place of greater safety, that he brought on hemorrhage of the lungs, from which he with much difficulty recovered.
Seeing herself thus left to the mercy of the savages, Mrs Evans took up the gun she had taken from them, and started, with her remaining daughter, to Major John Taylors, about two miles distant, where, tired and frenzied with grief, she arrived in safety. She had not been gone a great while when Mr. Evans returned, and not suspecting anything wrong, he took down a book, and was engaged in its perusal for some time, till finally he became impatient, and started to the garden, where he supposed Mrs Evans was gathering vegetables. What must have been his feelings when he reached the garden, to see four of his children murdered and scalped? Seeing noth- ing of his wife and eldest daughter, he supposed they had been taken pris- oners; he therefore returned quickly to the house, seized his gun, and started for Major Taylor's, to get asisistance, and a company to follow on, and try, if possible, to retake them. Frantic with grief, he rushed into the house to tell his tale of woe, when he was caught in the arms of his brave wife. His joy, at finding them, was so great, that he could scarcely contain himself: he wept, then laughed, then thanked God it was no worse. As is cominon in such cases, in a new country, the neighbors flocked in to know the best or worst, and to offer such aid as lay in their power. They sympathized, as only frontiermen can sympathize, with the bereaved parents; but the thought of having to bury four children the next moring, was so shocking, and so dreadful to reflect on, that little peace was to be expected for them. Slowly the reluctant hours of night passed away, and a faint gleam of light
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