USA > Virginia > Tazewell County > Tazewell County > History of the Settlement and Indian Wars of Tazewell County, Virginia: With a Map, Statistical. > Part 3
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the feelings of the Virginians up to the highest pitch of ex- citement. The consequence was a wrangle between the peo- ple and the governor. While this was progressing, James II was dethroned, and William and Mary ascended in his Read. A war soon broke out that involved the colonies, and did not cease to affect them till 1705. There were various persons in power during this time, but as nothing of import- ance took place, I pass to the period when Governor Spotts- wood assumed the reigns of government.
1710.] The administration of Spottswood was of a char- acter to gain for him the greatest popularity among the Vir- ginians. At the head of a body of horse he crossed the Blue-Ridge mountains, hitherto thought impracticable. For this feat he was created knight, by the king, who also pre- sented him with a miniature golden horse-shoe, on which was inscribed, Sic jurat transcendens montes. Spottswood was succeeded by Drysdale in 1723, but was again chosen in 1729. In 1734, Drysdale was again elected, but was suc- ceeded by Gooch in 1737.
1752.] Governor Dinwiddie was sent over in place of Gooch, who had gone to England. Gooch's reign (if such I may term it), was a long and prosperous one. Since 1710, when Spottswood crossed the mountains, the colony had greatly extended itself. Augusta county was already con- spicuous. Many settlers were to be seen wending their way westward ; and, as it is my place to follow them, I here take leave of the general history of Virginia, referring the reader to Bancroft's history of the United States for particulars.
BOOK II. HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
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HISTORY AND INDIAN WARS OF
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CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY OF TAZEWELL.
. THE local nature of. this work precludes the necessity of entering into a lengthy introduction, yet a few remarks seem to be essential, to make the reader somewhat acquainted with the nature of the subject before him.
For many years, the county of Tazewell has enjoyed a. very high reputation in Virginia and the surrounding states. Located in what was not many years ago the wilds of Virginia, immediately in the line of the great Indian road from the Ohio to the western settlements, we might reasonably calculate that many daring deeds and bloody massacres took place within its borders. And such seems to have been the case, for, perhaps none of the western counties afford such a number of either, as Tazewell.
The lands of the county are open and inviting to the emi- grant, and it is essential only, that he should have & correct knowledge of the county, its history and its resources, to con- vince him that he will nowhere find a more desirable country than this. The people of the county themselves, need a spur to urge them on to greater exertion. The rapid growth of the county and its wealth show that it will compare with any in the state. To those who would spend a summer in the mountains, a more pleasant retreat from the cares and ( 45)
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turmoils of business, could not be found. . To the valetudina- rian, the pure air, the fine scenery, the mineral water, the good society, all are inviting. To the capitalist the county opens a wide field of operations. Occupying a central position in the south-west, it may be looked upon as an average specimen of the surrounding country. The county has thus far made but a small figure; the south-west has been overlooked ; to advocate the claims of the latter and to per- petuate the history of the former, as well as to set the car of improvement in motion, is one of the objects of this work. The day is not far distant when Tazewell will be an im- portant county; a slight glance at the maps of Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina will be sufficient to convince the most superficial, that in the course of things, a new state, at no very distant day, must be hewed out of the corners of the above states. If we but look at the staple productions, the character of the soil, the distance of market, the sameness of facilities, the climate and character of the population, the distance from the seats of government, and the oneness of interest, we cannot fail to see that the formation of a new state would redound to the interest of the people of the specified district.
It may be said that this new state would be cut off from any navigable stream as much as Switzerland in Europe. But, when we consider, in this age of "velocity," navigable streams have, and are daily becoming subservient to the speed and utility of the metal horse, whose dreadful stamp and wild scream is spreading life and energy in the veins of the honest
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INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY OF TAZEWELL.
yeomanry of the land, we shall all agree that this objection would not be valid.
I would ask, what advantages are now accruing to the people of the specified section from navigable streams? Do they not roll back upon us, daily, a tide of losses, by bringing us in competition with those who have their every advantage? Have the people of south-western Virginia, eastern Ken- tucky and Tennessee, and north-western North Carolina, ever been on a footing with others of their respective states?
Will their respective legislatures vote money to carry on internal improvements in these remote corners, so as to bring them on a footing with their more favored statesmen ? Have they enabled them to sell their corn, wheat, tobacco and stock on as good terms as those nearer market? Have the states named, tried to put the "corner men" within thirty miles of market, as they might ? No, we must travel thirty days with our stock, grain etc., to market, which, when there, nets little more than half that received by our more favored brethren.
No country can equal ours, and why be poorer than the poorest? Let us urge upon our respective states the im- portance of placing us on an equal footing with others, or ask leave to help ourselves, by making us a separate and distinct commonwealth. Let us do this, and show the world that here is the garden-spot.
Too little has been said, by writers of Virginia history, upon south-western Virginia. Several works have been written purporting to. be histories of Virginia, Kentucky,
48 INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY OF TAZEWELL.
Tennessee and North Carolina, and all neglect their moun- tainous sections. The last works I have seen upon Virginia, are those of Howe and De Hass. Neither of these, do that justice to the south-west, which it so justly merits. The character of Mr. Howe's work precluded the possibility of saying much of any section. But, De Hass's work purports to be a " History of the Settlement and Indian Wars of Western Virginia." If he had called it a history of the settlement and Indian wars of North-western Virginia, he would certainly have been quite as near the thing. It is most undoubtedly a history of north-western Virginia, and as such is an honor to its author.
To write a history of Virginia which should do justice to every section, would be a task greater than could be performed by any one man ; for, to use the words of one well versed in Virginia history "the half will never be told."
Local history is rather a new feature in literature, and must be written for the people of its locality. I write the history of a county and for the people of that county. After the history of every county shall be written, a condensed work of the whole will be called a History of the South-west.
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DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT. .
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CHAPTER II. 1
DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT.
1766.] IT has been with much difficulty that Ljusye been able to collect anything of importance, relating to this sec- tion, at the date indicated in the margin. Perhaps there's really little to record. What little I have gleaned from the .. obscured pages of the book of the past, has now become little more than mere tradition. For, situated as I am, in' an isolated region, the advantages of a public library are, denied me, and from a large private library little is to be found, throwing any light on this uncertain part of my work, The information here embodied, was received from the grand- sons, sons, and even from the men themselves who were the principal actors in the drama to be recorded. Memory can- not survive the decay of the physical system, unimpaired ; and hence, caution is necessary, in recording an event told us, even by the chief actors therein. With this fact before me, I have placed more reliance on an incident related to me by a son of a pioneer, than if related by the pioneer himself.
Whether the discoverers were allured to this section, by the exaggerated tale of some friendly Indians ; the hope of find- ing some valuable mineral, with which to enrich themselves; or to find a region more abundantly stocked with game, from the peltry of which they would derive a profit, cannot now be easily determined. It is most likely that the latter sup- position is the true cause; for, it is certain, that at the date 4
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indicated, hunting was considered a manly exercise, and one of which Virginians have ever been fond. They would brave every danger to enjoy the sport. Amusement was here combined with labor and profit; and hence, the hardy backwoodsman of Augusta frequently left home and all its endearments, and took upon himself the toil and fatigue, as well as the pleasures, of a trapper's life. The " trapper life" here led, differed, in many respects, from that followed by the north-western trapper, or courceurs de bois, who married among the Indians, assumed their dress, and remained out on an expedition, one, two, and even three or four years; while the backwoodsman returned regularly to his family, at the end of a few months, perhaps poorer, but equally as happy as the courceurs de bois or rangers of the wood.
The hunters usually went to the mountains in companies of eight or ten, having pack-horses, with which they brought home their peltry. The equipment, for a trip of this kind, consisted of a rifle, powder, ball, a hatchet or tomahawk, knife, and blanket. They also carried salt and provisions enough to last them two days or beyond the settlement, from which time the forest yielded a plentiful supply. Tobacco, and a clean shirt a-piece, generally made up the remainder of their stores, which was to serve them for months in the western wilds. Their dress was usually of heavy woolen, and the manufacture of their wives and daughters. The suit worn off had to last till their return ; for, except the spare shirt, they carried but one suit. Heavy buckskin moccasins and leggins were usually worn, with a hunting shirt, and a
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cap made of beaver or otter-skin. The hatchet was worn in' a belt around the body, while the hunting-knife was lodged in a sheath fastened to the strap of the shot-pouch. I know of no more formidable personage than a backwoodsman in full dress ; especially if you reflect upon the precision with which he deals the missiles of death, from his long black rifle, and his great power to endure the fatigue and hardships incident to a hunter's life.
Once upon the route, thus equipped and prepared, none were so happy or so free from the cares and vexations of civic life, as the Augusta backwoodsman, to whose homes even Washington, in after years, expected to be compelled to fly, to nourish and defend the last faint spark of republican liberty.
Pasturage for their horses was to be found everywhere ; and, game in such abundance, that plenty and good cheer were their companions from the time they left their homes, till their return. After having reached the game region, and were seated around the camp-fire, at night, their thoughts. might revert from the incidents of the day and the anticipa- tion of the morrow's scenes, and kindly hover over those left behind ; but, if so, such thoughts invariably brought forth the soliloquizing ejaculation, " Well now, if I had the old woman and babies here I should be fixed!"
It will be recollected that, previous to this time, the French had mingled with the Indians, and given countenance to their acts, till the close of the war between France and England, in February, 1763. This peace did not, however,
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terminate the Indian war against the colonies. They were: displeased with the provisions of the treaty, and commenced a war of merciless extermination against the western frontier
. settlements, which was waged till December, 1764, when it was brought to a close by what is usually known as John- ston's treaty.
The Shawanoes, who lived on the Wabash, Scioto, and Ohio rivers, soon after the completion of Johnston's treaty, became engaged in a war with the Cherokees, who lived in the upper parts of Alabama, Georgia, and the western part of North Carolina, and continued it till 1768, when the southern Indians, who were being pressed by the Shawanoes and Delawares, sued for, and obtained a peace, which re- stored quiet to the frontiers, till April, 1774.
The reader will bear in mind that this war, between the Shawanoes and Cherokees, was waging at the time of which we are writing (1766), and that the country, of which Taze- well now forms a part, lay between the contending nations, so that the hunter was in danger of falling into the hands of the predatory bands of either tribe. There was, however, little danger, for each nation was anxious to secure the sym- pathy of the whites. A few loads of powder were sufficient to have ransomed a man. But it appears that no company was molested, who were hunting within the present limits - of Tazewell.
The first of these hunting companies visited this part of the Clinch valley in 1766: of their acts nothing is known. In the following year another company came out, in which
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were two men, named Butler and Carr. They were, also, in che first company.
1767.] When this second company was ready to start back, Butler and Carr concluded to stay and wait the arrival" of a company expected out that fall. They built a small cabin, at a place now known as the Crab orchard, about three miles west of the present seat of justice. During the spring they opened a small field, and planted some corn, which they received from a band of Cherokees. In the fall, the expected company of hunters arrived, and were joined by Butler and Carr, who had, by this time, acquired a correct knowledge of the geographical features of the country. They hunted till spring, leaving Butler and Carr to spend another summer in the mountains. Having received, from the last company, a supply of ammunition, etc., they became settled In their resolution to make the wild backwoods their home, and, accordingly, began to improve around their camp, and open lands, on which to raise bread.
1768.] Early in the summer, about two hundred Cherokee warriors camped near them, to spend the summer and kill elk, which frequented a lick near, and on the present planta- tion of, Mr. Thomas Witten. These were, however, soon disturbed by the appearance of several hundred Shawanoes ; men and women. The Shawanoes and Cherokees had long been deadly enemies, and it was not to be supposed that they could camp near each other, and hunt at the same lick, with- out a battle.
The Shawanoes, as a people, are overbearing: and they were
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not long in exhibiting this feature of their character. The Shawanoe chief sent a peremptory order to the Cherokees, to evacuate their position and seek a new hunting-ground. This was early in the day. The messenger was sent back to defy the Shawanoes, who soon began to prepare for battle.
The Cherokees retired to the top of Rich mountain and threw up a breastwork, which was finished before night. It consisted of a simple embankment, about three or four feet high, running east and west along the top of the mountain about eighty yards, and then turning off at. right angles to the north or down the mountain side. The Shawanoes com- menced the ascent of the mountain before night of the first- day, but finding their enemies so strongly fortified, withdrew and posted themselves in a position to commence the attack early the following morning.
Long before day the fiendish yells of the warriors might be heard echoing over the rugged cliffs and deep valleys of the surrounding country. Day came, and for the space of half an hour, a deathlike stillness reigned on the mountain top and side. With the first rays of the rising sun, a shout ascended the skies as if all the wild animals in the woods had broke forth in their most terrifying notes. The sharp crack of rifles and the ringing of tomahawks against each other; the screams of women and children and the groans of the dying now filled the air for miles around.
Both parties were well armed and the contest nearly equal. The Shawanoes having most men, while the Cherokees had the advantage of their breastwork. Through the long day
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the battle raged with unabated vigor, and when night closed in, both parties built fires and camped on the ground. During the night the Cherokees sent to Butler and Carr for powder and lead, which they furnished. When the sun rose the following morning the battle was renewed with the same spirit in which it had been fought the previous day. In a few hours, however, the Shawanoes were compelled to retire. The loss on both sides was great, considering the numbers engaged. A large pit was opened and a common grave re- ceived those who had fallen in this last battle fought between red men in this section. Both parties left Virginia for their .homes in the south and west, leaving Butler and Carr in possession of the Elk lick, which was the cause of dispute. My informant had this account from Carr, an eye-witness. The battle-ground, breastwork, and great grave are yet to be seen.
1769.] Carr separated from Butler and settled on a beautiful spot on one of the head branches of the Clinch river, two miles east of the present town of Jeffersonville. Peace being restored among the Indians, more hunters came out, who returned laden with peltries and giving such glowing descriptions of the country (which still perhaps failed to come up to its true description) that the desire to emigrate began to exhibit itself among the substantial men of worth.
1771.] In the spring of this year Thomas Witten and John Greenup moved out and settled at the Crab orchard, which Witten purchased of Butler. Absalom Looney settled in a beautiful valley now known as Abb's valley. Matthias Har-
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man, and his brothers Jacob and Henry settled at Carr's place. John Craven settled in the Cove (see Map), Joseph Martin, John Henry, and James King settled in the Thomp- son valley, and John Bradshaw in the valley two miles west of Jeffersonville. The settlers, this year, found but little annoyance from the Indians, who were living peaceably at their homes'in the west and south. The consequence was the settlers erected substantial houses and opened lands to put in corn, from which they reaped a plentiful supply, in the fall.
1772.] The following persons moved out, this year, and settled at the several places named. Capt. James Moore and John Pogue, in Abb's valley; William Wynn, at the Locust hill (the place that Carr settled), which he purchased- from Harman. John Taylor, on the north fork of Clinch, and Jesse Evans, near him. Thomas Maxwell, Benjamin Joslin, James Ogleton, Peter and Jacob Harman, and Samuel Furguson, on Bluestone creek. William Butler," on the south branch of the north fork of Clinch, a short distance above Wynn's plantation; William Webb, about three miles east of Jeffersonville; Elisha Clary, near Butler; John Ridgel, on the clear fork of Wolf creek ; Rees Bowen, at Maiden spring ;' David Ward, in the Cove, and William Garrison, at the foot of Morris's knob.
1773.] Thomas, John, and William Peery, settled where the town of Jeffersonville now stands; John Peery, jr., at the
. Perhaps the same from whom Thomas Witten purchased the Crab orchard, and the first settler.
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fork of Clinch, one mile and a half east of the county seat; Capt. Maffit, and Benjamin Thomas, settled about a mile above, and Chrisly Hensly, near them. Samuel Marrs settled in Thomp- son's valley; Thomas English, in Burk's garden (see de- scription and remarks); James and Charles Scaggs, Richard Pemberton, and Johnson, settled in Baptist valley, five miles from where Jeffersonville now stands. Thomas Maston, Wil- liam Patterson, and John Deskins, settled in the same valley, but farther west-Hines, Richard Oney, and Obadiah Paine, settled in Deskins valley, in the western part of the county. .
1774-76.] The settlers who came in during the years of '74-5 and '6, generally pitched their tents near the one or other of the localities already mentioned. Even yet there is a preference manifested for the older settlements. This may be accounted for, from the fact that the first settlers generally chose the most desirable localities ; the lands being now better improved, and society more advanced, still render these places more attractive than other parts of the county settled at a later period.
Cresop's war, as it is sometimes, though perhaps errone- ously, called, broke out in 1774, which drove the settlers into neighborhoods where they might have the advantages of blockhouses, forts, and stations. The Revolution was soon resolved upon, and the frontiermen, having to combat the Indians, who had become allies to the British, were much from home. This tended, also, to draw still closer the families then settled in the county. Whatever contributed to the safety of one, conferred a like boon upon the rest. In speaking
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of the Indian wars, we shall see the utility of general ren- dezvous for families.
Our market at this time was in eastern Virginia, or the old settlements, and by the continued passage of the traders, a line of communication was kept open, over which was trans- mitted, with some dispatch, news of what was transpiring in the east. Even before the battle of Lexington, the subject of revolution had been talked over by the frontiermen, and we shall see, hereafter, how they conducted themselves during the war. After the declaration of war, emigration slackened, though a few, who either sympathized with the mother country, or felt no interest in the contest, moved out. Having now given such an outline of the settlement as will enable the reader to know the position in which the people were placed, during the first few years of the settlement, I shall proceed to a period somewhat later, that he may have an idea of the formation and outline geography of the county.
CHAPTER III.
FORMATION, AND OUTLINE GEOGRAPHY.
BY an act, passed December 19th, 1799, the county of Tazewell was formed of parts of Wythe and Russell. The following are the boundary lines : "Beginning on the Kana- wha line, and running with the line which divides Mont- gomery and Wythe counties, to where said line crosses the top of the Brushy mountain ; thence along the top of the
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said mountain to its junction with Garden mountain; thence along the top of the said mountain to the Church (perhaps Clinch) mountain ; thence along the top of said mountain to the top of Cove creek, a branch of the Maiden-spring fork of Clinch river; thence a straight line to Mann's gap, in Kent's ridge; thence north 45° west, to the line which di- vides the state of Kentucky from that of Virginia; thence along said line to the Kanawha line, and with said line to the place of beginning."*
By an act of the Virginia legislature, passed February 3d, 1835, the line which had hitherto divided Russell and Taze- . well counties was altered from Mann's gap, in Kent's ridge, so as to run north 45° 45' west, to the distance of 974 poles. Which portion was afterward ceded to Tazewell. An act of the General Assembly, passed February 4th, 1828, altered the eastern boundary line, in consequence of the formation of the county of Giles ; and, again, in 1837, in consequence of the formation of the county of Mercer; which, however, owing to an omission in the act of Assembly, was not-de- fined till April, 1848.
The subjoined Map exhibits the lines as they now stand ; which, owing to a want of facilities, is not offered as being in every respect correct, but near enough to convey a good gen- eral idea of the shape and geographical features of the county.
Tazewell county was named, not in honor of Littleton W. Tazewell, as is generally supposed, but received its name
. Virginia Statutes, from 1792 to 1806 ; Vol. II, chap. 37, see., 1, page 217.
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