04/29/08

Our History of Samuel Davidson is being checked for accuracy, below is the current edited version. As with every family there are twists and turns. We are striving to present as accurate a version as possible. Our goals do not include genealogy but we have attached a short family history tree for your inspection.

Click Here for Family Tree

Click here for History Timeline.

Josiah Brandon, a Revolutionary War Soldier helped build the fort

History of Davidson’s Fort and Old Fort 1700-1800

(Swann, 2008)

The history of the "old fort" began with the continuing threat of hostilities between the Cherokee Indians and the first Europeans to encroach on Cherokee lands. From 1700 to 1800, many violent conflicts would erupt along the boundaries of present day McDowell County, especially in the northern and western portions.

Prior to 1750, only explorers, traders and trappers ventured into this wilderness at the foot of the Blue Ridge. Few Cherokee villages remained, though the tribe continued to claim the area as hunting territory. First contact between the Native Americans and the white settlers had been for the most part amiable. Trade patterns developed, with both groups benefiting. However, as more white families began to push toward the mountains, taking more and more of the desirable land for homesteads and farms, the Cherokee resentment began to increase.

When the struggle for control of North America erupted into the French and Indian War, both the English and the French contended for the support of the Cherokee Nation. Because of their already growing hostility toward the English settlers, most Cherokees allied themselves with the French. It was during this period that the few intrepid pioneers, who had already established themselves in present day McDowell County, began to construct forts for protection against the Cherokee. Perhaps two of the more than one dozen McDowell County forts were constructed during this time period; Cathey's Fort near present day Woodlawn, and McDowell's Fort near Pleasant Gardens.

The twenty-year span between the advent of the French and Indian War (or the Cherokee Wars, as this conflict is often called) and the American Revolution was fraught with continued hostilities between Indian and settler. By the spring of 1776, while the increasing number of local settlers considered their break from England's rule, the Cherokee were turning up the heat on the frontier. - The British government forbade settlement beyond the Blue Ridge, primarily because they feared losing control of the independent minded· Ulster Scot settlers. All land north and west of the mountains was designated as Cherokee territory. Encouraged by the Crown to continue attacks, the Cherokee believed as they were told, that their land would eventually be returned to them. Several forays into the area left settlers dead in Montford Cove, Turkey Cove, Crooked Creek and Nebo. A string of forts began to spring up throughout the territory, some hastily constructed; some mere fortifications of dwelling houses.

In the early of 1776 a combination was entered into by the British Loyalist/Tories and Indians for a general massacre of the Whig/Patriots residing along the frontiers from North Carolina to Georgia. The Tories set up peeled poles at their houses, around which white cloth was wrapped. These were called passovers. On June 20, in accordance with previous arrangements, the Indians commenced the work of death among the Whigs, but the Tories sat under their passovers in safety. To this, however, there was one exception. Capt. James Ford, who resided on the Enoree River at a place called the Canebrake, was killed while sitting under his passover. His wife was also killed and his two daughters taken captives. It is supposed that the Indians were instigated into the commission of these horrible atrocities by the arts of John Stuart and Richard Parris, agents of the British Government, and that this work of savage butchery along the frontiers constituted a part of a grand scheme for the overthrow of the patriots in the Province.

At McDowell's Fort near Clear Creek, Col. Joseph McDowell and more than 120 settlers barricaded themselves and begged for help. On July 12, -1776, Griffith Rutherford, safety officer for the Salisbury District (of which this county was then a part) wrote to the Council of Safety pleading for reinforcements and supplies. Two days later, he repeated the plea, stating that Indians had recently killed more than 40 settlers. The council sanctioned an expedition into the heart of Cherokee country to crush any possibility of continued retaliation.

For almost three months, General Rutherford canvassed the frontier for volunteers, visiting all of the small forts in each community. By the end of August, 1776 he had mounted the largest volunteer force in history-an estimated 2,400 men. The militia rendezvoused at Cathey's Fort, marched to Pleasant Gardens to the home of "Hunting" John McDowell, where their marshaling ground and headquarters would be located; then on west to the westernmost border of Cherokee territory at the foot of the Blue Ridge. Records left by Griffith Rutherford and some who served with him on the expedition reveal that he picked 500 men from the group who would accompany him into the Cherokee towns. The remainder were left to guard the frontier and build a militia fort in the present day Old Fort. Dividing into smaller groups, the militia constantly rode between the forts, checking for any signs of unrest.

Accounts of the Rutherford expedition and the route of travel (now known as ''Rutherford's Trace), detail the activities of the army upon reaching the Cherokee Towns. In a "scorched earth policy" that would later serve General Sherman well in his march through Georgia, the Cherokee were left homeless and starving. After what has been termed a "successful" mission, Rutherford returned to the camp at the foot of the mountains. Here he and his men finished the construction of a fort for protection of area settlers, as well as for a base of operations for the western frontier. Since the fort was built on the property of an Irish immigrant named Samuel Davidson, it was often called Davidson's Fort or Sam Davidson's Fort. Samuel's twin brother William Davidson also constructed a fort in the present day Greenlee community, so to distinguish the two; Sam Davidson's fort became known as "Upper Fort" and William’s as "Lower Fort". Pension applications of soldiers who served with Griffith Rutherford also name the fort, Rutherford's Fort. As time passed, the stockade and buildings began to crumble, and passersby referred to the area simply as the "old fort". Eventually this name was given to the town of Old Fort.

Miss Mary Greenlee, noted historian and educator, contributed an article to the "Historical and Genealogical Record" in 1933, dealing with the construction of the fort and its history. Among her handwritten notes are statements made by then elderly residents of Old Fort. Both remembered seeing remnants of the fort; the logs still standing upright, near the site of the community building (now Mountain Gateway Museum). The spring, which provided water for the fort, runs underneath the museum building, and is piped into Mill Creek. These people, along with those who applied for pensions in the 1830s, describe Davidson's Fort as a "stockade" or "palisades" type fort.

Samuel Davidson, owner of the fort property, moved on to new frontiers. He is acclaimed by most historians as the first white settler west of the Blue Ridge. His adventure proved to be a fatal one, however. While out searching for his horse, he was attacked and killed by Cherokees in 1784. His wife took their baby daughter and a servant girl and fled on foot back across the mountains to the fort. Samuel was buried where he fell.

The fort continued to serve residents of the frontier throughout the years of the Revolutionary War, and many pension applicants remember serving at the local forts, including Sam Davidson's. This fort, with the possible exception of Cathey's Fort, figured more prominently in the early history of McDowell County, and Western North Carolina than any other fortification

In August 1780 English Col. Patrick Ferguson set off in pursuit of the over mountain men after the battle Bedford’s Hill. The over mountain men steady pace lifting their horses to a good pace and stopping regularly to rotate prisoners to other mounts. Some stops were made for quick meals and Ferguson was close enough behind to find ashes still hot. However, he could not close the distance and soon gave up the chase.

Ferguson came sweeping up the foothills, claiming all the stores and cattle any Patriot sympathizers had. His path was easy to follow. Smoke from burned buildings and animal ravaged fields marked it. The grain fields made good places to pasture the horses while the troops scouted to see if better mounts were to be had from the local stock. What edibles and stores that were not needed or could be carried off were burned along with the houses of any who did not pledge allegiance to the king. He was now at the headwaters of the Catawba River at Davidson's Old Fort.

McDowell had already caused all the cattle possible to be driven deeper into the coves and hollows of the towering Black Mountains. Many residents had hidden what they could and questioned what they should do about reality. The realities that they had to serve, take protection, or suffer the possible loss life itself at the hands of the British.

Conferring, several agreed that they would outwardly submit, 'take protection' to save what they could for the sake of all. Notable names are mentioned plus the later accusations that these were of less than honorable character. (Duels would be fought by descendants of those involved about the true intent of this action)

Ferguson ranged the headwaters of the Catawba. One herd of cattle was pointed out as belonging to a Patriot and slaughter began. It was found that it really belonged to a leading Loyalist and resentment grew against these high handed acts. Patriot families lost much, names of whom live on today in that foothill valley.

Nothing was above confiscation or appropriation. As he ranged about the various creeks and coves he came upon a 'spirited lady' (Susana Lytle). She had heard of his coming and, trusting him to be a gentleman, had dressed in her finery to face him. Her husband was away with forces so she faced the raiding Ferguson on her own. She openly boasted of her Patriot support and that her husband would not prove to be a traitor to his own country.

Ferguson bowed to her spirit and took his leave. However, a straggler rode back and took her beaver hat, replacing it with his own wretched apology of a hat. As he rode away she shouted after him, "You'll bite dust for that, you villain".

Now that McDowell and his troop had fled across the mountains, Ferguson saw that the western areas were subdued. All that threatened now was those Over Mountain men and their raiding. They had escaped his lieutenants but now he had them cornered. He released prisoner Samuel Phillips, a relative of Shelby, and sent a verbal message over mountain that, "if they did not desist from their opposition to the British arms, he would march his army over the mountains, hang their leaders, and lay their country waste with fire and sword."