The Battle of Alamance
The Battle of Alamance consisted of a group of backcountry farmers and the military of Royal William Tryon. The farmers were known as the regulators. It formed because many residents of North Carolina weren’t happy with the way the provincial government of North Carolina was handling the colony’s affairs. It was over the way they abused government officials. Colonists had to pay excessive taxes, lying sheriffs, and illegal fees that they had to pay. People living in the western part of the province weren’t sympathetic of colonists in the eastern part of the province. However, a Quaker stepped in to try to lead them in peaceful negotiation, which colonists didn’t agree with, causing them to go to war.
So, Tryon called out his militia to start war against the Regulators. In the battle, Tryon’s army suffered only 9 deaths and 60 injuries while the Regulators had far more deaths take place. This battle showed how unhappy many people were before the Revolutionary war started. It also opened people eyes to the use of armed resistance, which was used later in battles.
http://www.nchistoricsites.org/alamance/main.htm
Watauga Purchase and Compact
This document was the first written document by free people. It’s articles were considered the first constitution west of the Appalachian mountains and they created a separate state that they called the “Republic of Watauga” and historians say it was the “most thoroughly thought through democratic instruments ever penned in the New World.” The Watauga’s bought land from the Cherokees on May 19, 1775.
http://www.etsu.edu/cas/tahg/pictures/Revolution/documents/era3_ss_dixon_08.pdf
Cumberland Compact
This document was written by Richard Henderson who was a land speculator and representative for NC. On May 1, 1780, it was signed by 250 men of the newly founded Cumberland settlement. It guided land transactions and served as a simple constitution for the settlement. It created a representative form of civil government. The settlement was separated into seven stations, or forts, and each one was entitled to a certain number of elected representatives. These representatives formed a twelve person group called the “Tribunal of Notables.” This document was important because it created the governing laws and outlined the way the new settlement in Tennessee would run.
http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entry.php?rec=335
Battle of the Bluffs
This battle began on April 2, 1781 and involved roughly 400 Chickamauga’s and resident fighters. The Chickamauga’s were led by Dragging Canoe as they tried to wipeout Fort Nashborough and the settlement around it. In the battle, the Indians invaded Fort Nashborough and killed several settlers inside. However, James Robertson’s wife Charlotte unleashed a pack of fifty wild dogs, which the Indians feared. This allowed more of the residents to escape and prepare for battle, allowing them to keep Fort Nashborough, which would soon become Nashville. That explains its importance because Nashville would later become our capitol.
http://www.nashville-vacation-fun.com/battle-of-the-bluff.html
The Wilderness Road
In 1775, Daniel Boone made a pathway through the Cumberland Gap (the intersection between Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. The path was called the Wilderness Road which guided more that 300,000 settlers over the next 35 years to the Western United States. The trail resulted in the founding of the first settlements in Kentucky including Boonsboro, Kentucky. http://www.history.com/topics/wilderness-road
http://www.history.com/topics/wilderness-road
Fort Loudon
Named after John Campbell, this fort was built to secure South Carolina from French attackers, and to keep trade with the Cherokee stable. During the four years of the fort’s existence, the Cherokee took over the fort, and demolished it shortly after the British marched away.
http://fortloudoun.com/history/
Washington District
In August of 1784, the delegates of the Washington District declared independence from North Carolina because of their mistreatment from their legislature. In May, 1785, the delegates requested to form a new state of Franklin west of North Carolina, but the request was denied. Finally, in 1796, the remaining of Washington County was formed into te new state of Franklin (Tennessee).
https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Washington_%28old%29_County,_North_Carolina
The Cherokee War
In 1776, the British readied to march into Cherokee country, to takeover their land and gain British provinces. The British stretched their armies for miles down the river, and the Cherokee fired from high mountain ranges and ridges near the river. With shortage of people and weapons, the Cherokee were driven back, and Grant and his army crossed the Little Tennessee River.
http://cherokee.wildsouth.org/content/war-britain-1759-1761
Battle of King's Mountain
During the Revolutionary War, Patriot irregulars under Colonel William Campbell defeat Tories under Major Patrick Ferguson on the ridge of King’s Mountain. The patriots advanced up the mountain and surrounded the loyalists, causing them to commit a suicidal attempt of escape. The Tories then try to surrender, but out o cold blood, the Patriots are relentless and slaughter many more.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-kings-mountain
Below is a copy of the Watauga Petition, which tried to establish Transylvania. It was bought from the Cherokee by the Watauga association.
The Watauga Petition was an official document confirming the land purchase from the Cherokee Nation:
“To the Hon. the Provincial Council of North-Carolina:
“The humble petition of the inhabitants of Washington District, including the River Wataugah, Nonachuckie, &c., in committee assembled, Humbly Sheweth, that about six years ago, Col. Donelson, (in behalf of the Colony of Virginia,) held a Treaty with the Cherokee Indians, in order to purchase the lands of the Western Frontiers; in consequence of which Treaty, many of your petitioners settled on the lands of the Wataugah, &c., expecting to be within the Virginia line, and consequently hold their lands by their improvements as first settlers; but to their great disappointment, when the line was run they were (contrary to their expectation) left out; finding themselves thus disappointed, and being to inconveniently situated to move back, and feeling an unwillingness to loose the labour bestowed on their plantations, they applied to the Cherokee Indians, and leased the land for a term of ten years, before the expiration of which term, it appeared that many persons of distinction were actually making purchases forever; thus yielding a precedent, (supposing many of them, who were gentlemen of the law, to be better judges of the constitution than we were,) and considering the bad consequences it must be attended with, should the reversion be purchased out of our hands, we next preceded to make a purchase of the lands, reserving those in our possession in sufficient tracts for our own uses, and resolving to dispose of the remainder for the good of th community. This purchase was made and the lands acknowledged to us and our heirs forever, in an open treaty, in Wataugah Old Fields; a deed being obtained from the Chiefs of the said Cherokee nation, for themselves and their whole nation, conveying a fee simple right to the said lands, to us and our heirs forever, which deed was for and in consideration of the sum of two thousand pounds sterling (paid to them in goods,) for which consideration they acknowledged themselves fully satisfied, contented and paid; and agreed for themselves and their whole nation, their heirs, &c., forever to resign, warrant and defend the said lands to us, and our heirs, &c., against themselves, their heirs, &c.
The purchase was no sooner made, than we were alarmed by the reports of the present unhappy situation between Great Britain and America, on which report, (taking the new united colonies for our guide,) we proceeded to choose a committee, which was done unanimously by the consent of the people. This committee (willing to become a party in the present unhappy contest) resolved (which is now in our records) to adhere strictly to the rules and orders of the Continental Congress, and in open committee acknowledged themselves indebted to the united colonies their full portion of the Continental expense.
Finding ourselves on the Frontiers, and being apprehensive that, for the want of a proper legislature, we might become shelter for such as endeavored to defraud their creditors; considering also the necessity of recording Deeds, Wills, and doing other public business, we, by consent of the people, formed a court for the purposes above mentioned, taking (by desire of our constituents) the Virginia laws for our guide, so near as the situation of affairs would admit; this was intended for ourselves, and was done by the consent of every individual, but wherever we had to deal with people out of our district, we have ruled them to bail, to abide by our determinations, (which was, in fact, leaving the matter of reference,) otherways we dismissed their suit, lest we should in any way intrude on the legislature of the colonies. In short, we have endeavored so strictly to do justice, that we have admitted common proof against ourselves, on accounts, &c., from the colonies, without pretending a right to require the Colony Seal.
We therefore trust that we shall be considered as we deserve, and not, as we have (no doubt) been many times, represented, as a lawless mob. It is for this very reason we can assure you that we petition; we now again repeat it, that it is for want of proper authority to try and punish felons, we can only mention to you murderers, horse thieves and robbers and are sorry to say that some of them have escaped us for want of proper authority. We trust, however, that this will not long be the case; and we again and again repeat it, that it is for this reason we petition to this Honourable Assembly.
Above we have given you an extract of our proceedings, since our settling on Wataugah, Nonachuckie, &c., in regard to our civil affairs. We have shown you the causes of our first settling and the disappointments we have met with, the reason of our lease and of our purchase, the manner in which we purchased, and how we hold of the Indians in fee simple; the causes of our forming a committee, and legality of its election; and same of our court and proceedings, and our reasons for petitioning in regard to our Legislature.
We will now porceed to give you some account of our military establishments, which were chosen agreeable to the rules established by convention, and officers appointed by the committee. This being done we thought it proper to raise a company on the District service, as our proportion, to act in the common cause on the sea shore. A Company of fine riflemen were accordingly enlisted, and put under Captain James Robertson, and were actually embodied, when we received sundry letters and depositions, (copies of which we now enclose to you,) you will readily judge that there was occasion for them in another place, where we daily expected attack. We therefore thought proper to station them on our Frontiers, in defence of the common cause, at the expense and risque of our own private fortunes, till farther public orders, which we flatter ourselves will give no offence. We have enclosed you sundry proceedings at the station where our men now remain.
We shall now submit the whole to your candid and impartial judgement. We pray your mature and deliberate consideration in our behalf, that you man annex us to your Province, (whether as County, district, or other division,) in such manner as may enable us to share in the glorious cause of Liberty; enforce our laws under authority, and in every respect become the best members of society; and for ourselves and constituents we hope, we may venture to assure you, that we shall adhere strictly to your determinations, and that nothing will be lacking or any thing neglected, that may add weight (in the civil or military establishments) to the glorious cause in which we are now struggling, or contribute to the welfare of our own or ages yet to come.
That you may strictly examine every part of this our Petition, and delay no time in annexing us to your Province, in such a manner as your wisdom shall direct, is the hearty prayer of those who, for themselves and constituents, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.”
http://www.tngenweb.org/pre1796/17760822.html
Transylvania Purchase
The Transylvania Purchase took place on March 14th, 1775. A North Carolina spectator named Richard Henderson wanted to purchase a piece of land, which is now present-day Kentucky and Middle Tennessee. He wanted to establish a fourteenth colony there, but there were several problems, including that it was a violation of the Proclamation of 1763. They transferred the Transylvania Company 20 million acres of land in exchange for about 10,000 British pounds.
http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entry.php?rec=1398
The Battle of Alamance consisted of a group of backcountry farmers and the military of Royal William Tryon. The farmers were known as the regulators. It formed because many residents of North Carolina weren’t happy with the way the provincial government of North Carolina was handling the colony’s affairs. It was over the way they abused government officials. Colonists had to pay excessive taxes, lying sheriffs, and illegal fees that they had to pay. People living in the western part of the province weren’t sympathetic of colonists in the eastern part of the province. However, a Quaker stepped in to try to lead them in peaceful negotiation, which colonists didn’t agree with, causing them to go to war.
So, Tryon called out his militia to start war against the Regulators. In the battle, Tryon’s army suffered only 9 deaths and 60 injuries while the Regulators had far more deaths take place. This battle showed how unhappy many people were before the Revolutionary war started. It also opened people eyes to the use of armed resistance, which was used later in battles.
http://www.nchistoricsites.org/alamance/main.htm
Watauga Purchase and Compact
This document was the first written document by free people. It’s articles were considered the first constitution west of the Appalachian mountains and they created a separate state that they called the “Republic of Watauga” and historians say it was the “most thoroughly thought through democratic instruments ever penned in the New World.” The Watauga’s bought land from the Cherokees on May 19, 1775.
http://www.etsu.edu/cas/tahg/pictures/Revolution/documents/era3_ss_dixon_08.pdf
Cumberland Compact
This document was written by Richard Henderson who was a land speculator and representative for NC. On May 1, 1780, it was signed by 250 men of the newly founded Cumberland settlement. It guided land transactions and served as a simple constitution for the settlement. It created a representative form of civil government. The settlement was separated into seven stations, or forts, and each one was entitled to a certain number of elected representatives. These representatives formed a twelve person group called the “Tribunal of Notables.” This document was important because it created the governing laws and outlined the way the new settlement in Tennessee would run.
http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entry.php?rec=335
Battle of the Bluffs
This battle began on April 2, 1781 and involved roughly 400 Chickamauga’s and resident fighters. The Chickamauga’s were led by Dragging Canoe as they tried to wipeout Fort Nashborough and the settlement around it. In the battle, the Indians invaded Fort Nashborough and killed several settlers inside. However, James Robertson’s wife Charlotte unleashed a pack of fifty wild dogs, which the Indians feared. This allowed more of the residents to escape and prepare for battle, allowing them to keep Fort Nashborough, which would soon become Nashville. That explains its importance because Nashville would later become our capitol.
http://www.nashville-vacation-fun.com/battle-of-the-bluff.html
The Wilderness Road
In 1775, Daniel Boone made a pathway through the Cumberland Gap (the intersection between Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. The path was called the Wilderness Road which guided more that 300,000 settlers over the next 35 years to the Western United States. The trail resulted in the founding of the first settlements in Kentucky including Boonsboro, Kentucky. http://www.history.com/topics/wilderness-road
http://www.history.com/topics/wilderness-road
Fort Loudon
Named after John Campbell, this fort was built to secure South Carolina from French attackers, and to keep trade with the Cherokee stable. During the four years of the fort’s existence, the Cherokee took over the fort, and demolished it shortly after the British marched away.
http://fortloudoun.com/history/
Washington District
In August of 1784, the delegates of the Washington District declared independence from North Carolina because of their mistreatment from their legislature. In May, 1785, the delegates requested to form a new state of Franklin west of North Carolina, but the request was denied. Finally, in 1796, the remaining of Washington County was formed into te new state of Franklin (Tennessee).
https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Washington_%28old%29_County,_North_Carolina
The Cherokee War
In 1776, the British readied to march into Cherokee country, to takeover their land and gain British provinces. The British stretched their armies for miles down the river, and the Cherokee fired from high mountain ranges and ridges near the river. With shortage of people and weapons, the Cherokee were driven back, and Grant and his army crossed the Little Tennessee River.
http://cherokee.wildsouth.org/content/war-britain-1759-1761
Battle of King's Mountain
During the Revolutionary War, Patriot irregulars under Colonel William Campbell defeat Tories under Major Patrick Ferguson on the ridge of King’s Mountain. The patriots advanced up the mountain and surrounded the loyalists, causing them to commit a suicidal attempt of escape. The Tories then try to surrender, but out o cold blood, the Patriots are relentless and slaughter many more.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-kings-mountain
Below is a copy of the Watauga Petition, which tried to establish Transylvania. It was bought from the Cherokee by the Watauga association.
The Watauga Petition was an official document confirming the land purchase from the Cherokee Nation:
“To the Hon. the Provincial Council of North-Carolina:
“The humble petition of the inhabitants of Washington District, including the River Wataugah, Nonachuckie, &c., in committee assembled, Humbly Sheweth, that about six years ago, Col. Donelson, (in behalf of the Colony of Virginia,) held a Treaty with the Cherokee Indians, in order to purchase the lands of the Western Frontiers; in consequence of which Treaty, many of your petitioners settled on the lands of the Wataugah, &c., expecting to be within the Virginia line, and consequently hold their lands by their improvements as first settlers; but to their great disappointment, when the line was run they were (contrary to their expectation) left out; finding themselves thus disappointed, and being to inconveniently situated to move back, and feeling an unwillingness to loose the labour bestowed on their plantations, they applied to the Cherokee Indians, and leased the land for a term of ten years, before the expiration of which term, it appeared that many persons of distinction were actually making purchases forever; thus yielding a precedent, (supposing many of them, who were gentlemen of the law, to be better judges of the constitution than we were,) and considering the bad consequences it must be attended with, should the reversion be purchased out of our hands, we next preceded to make a purchase of the lands, reserving those in our possession in sufficient tracts for our own uses, and resolving to dispose of the remainder for the good of th community. This purchase was made and the lands acknowledged to us and our heirs forever, in an open treaty, in Wataugah Old Fields; a deed being obtained from the Chiefs of the said Cherokee nation, for themselves and their whole nation, conveying a fee simple right to the said lands, to us and our heirs forever, which deed was for and in consideration of the sum of two thousand pounds sterling (paid to them in goods,) for which consideration they acknowledged themselves fully satisfied, contented and paid; and agreed for themselves and their whole nation, their heirs, &c., forever to resign, warrant and defend the said lands to us, and our heirs, &c., against themselves, their heirs, &c.
The purchase was no sooner made, than we were alarmed by the reports of the present unhappy situation between Great Britain and America, on which report, (taking the new united colonies for our guide,) we proceeded to choose a committee, which was done unanimously by the consent of the people. This committee (willing to become a party in the present unhappy contest) resolved (which is now in our records) to adhere strictly to the rules and orders of the Continental Congress, and in open committee acknowledged themselves indebted to the united colonies their full portion of the Continental expense.
Finding ourselves on the Frontiers, and being apprehensive that, for the want of a proper legislature, we might become shelter for such as endeavored to defraud their creditors; considering also the necessity of recording Deeds, Wills, and doing other public business, we, by consent of the people, formed a court for the purposes above mentioned, taking (by desire of our constituents) the Virginia laws for our guide, so near as the situation of affairs would admit; this was intended for ourselves, and was done by the consent of every individual, but wherever we had to deal with people out of our district, we have ruled them to bail, to abide by our determinations, (which was, in fact, leaving the matter of reference,) otherways we dismissed their suit, lest we should in any way intrude on the legislature of the colonies. In short, we have endeavored so strictly to do justice, that we have admitted common proof against ourselves, on accounts, &c., from the colonies, without pretending a right to require the Colony Seal.
We therefore trust that we shall be considered as we deserve, and not, as we have (no doubt) been many times, represented, as a lawless mob. It is for this very reason we can assure you that we petition; we now again repeat it, that it is for want of proper authority to try and punish felons, we can only mention to you murderers, horse thieves and robbers and are sorry to say that some of them have escaped us for want of proper authority. We trust, however, that this will not long be the case; and we again and again repeat it, that it is for this reason we petition to this Honourable Assembly.
Above we have given you an extract of our proceedings, since our settling on Wataugah, Nonachuckie, &c., in regard to our civil affairs. We have shown you the causes of our first settling and the disappointments we have met with, the reason of our lease and of our purchase, the manner in which we purchased, and how we hold of the Indians in fee simple; the causes of our forming a committee, and legality of its election; and same of our court and proceedings, and our reasons for petitioning in regard to our Legislature.
We will now porceed to give you some account of our military establishments, which were chosen agreeable to the rules established by convention, and officers appointed by the committee. This being done we thought it proper to raise a company on the District service, as our proportion, to act in the common cause on the sea shore. A Company of fine riflemen were accordingly enlisted, and put under Captain James Robertson, and were actually embodied, when we received sundry letters and depositions, (copies of which we now enclose to you,) you will readily judge that there was occasion for them in another place, where we daily expected attack. We therefore thought proper to station them on our Frontiers, in defence of the common cause, at the expense and risque of our own private fortunes, till farther public orders, which we flatter ourselves will give no offence. We have enclosed you sundry proceedings at the station where our men now remain.
We shall now submit the whole to your candid and impartial judgement. We pray your mature and deliberate consideration in our behalf, that you man annex us to your Province, (whether as County, district, or other division,) in such manner as may enable us to share in the glorious cause of Liberty; enforce our laws under authority, and in every respect become the best members of society; and for ourselves and constituents we hope, we may venture to assure you, that we shall adhere strictly to your determinations, and that nothing will be lacking or any thing neglected, that may add weight (in the civil or military establishments) to the glorious cause in which we are now struggling, or contribute to the welfare of our own or ages yet to come.
That you may strictly examine every part of this our Petition, and delay no time in annexing us to your Province, in such a manner as your wisdom shall direct, is the hearty prayer of those who, for themselves and constituents, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.”
http://www.tngenweb.org/pre1796/17760822.html
Transylvania Purchase
The Transylvania Purchase took place on March 14th, 1775. A North Carolina spectator named Richard Henderson wanted to purchase a piece of land, which is now present-day Kentucky and Middle Tennessee. He wanted to establish a fourteenth colony there, but there were several problems, including that it was a violation of the Proclamation of 1763. They transferred the Transylvania Company 20 million acres of land in exchange for about 10,000 British pounds.
http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entry.php?rec=1398