Early Forts and Settlements
North Carolina ignored the provisions of the Dumplin treaty, declaring the conference to have been held without authority, and the proceedings to be without binding force. This course being taken by North Carolina, the Indians also repudiated the treaty, and the immigrants now in the territory were left in a helpless condition. They were largely at the mercy of the Indians, and no help could be had from North Carolina. On the way down the trail the people established forts or blockhouses, as places of rendezvous and protection. One of these strongholds, called McGaughey's fort, was erected where the village and station of Seymour, on the Knoxville and Sevierville railroad, now stand, another McCroskey's fort, some three miles southwest of McGaughey's, also in Sevier County. The next was called McTeer's fort, at Ellejoy, situated on the rise just above the old McTeer mill site. now owned by Michael Davis. Another somewhere near the mouth of 1 Ellejoy, was known as Henry's fort; and near by, at the bend of Little river, was the Gamble fort, and seven miles further on, was located Craig's fort, where Maryville now stands.
Fort Bartlett
Fort Black located at the head of Crooked Creek
Fort Cavin (may be the same as Calvin)
Calvin's located on Crooked Creek
Fort Craig
Following the treaty of Dumplin a heavy immigration into the new territory set in with the great War Trail as the artery through which the immigrants poured. This tide came from the descendants of the Scotch Irish who first located in Pennsylvania, and thence flowed down the valley to Augusta and Rockbridge counties, Virginia, being largely of the sturdy Presbyterian stock whose ancestors had been driven from the old country by persecution.
Craig's Fort
Craig's fort was situated on the bluff or cliff above the large flowing spring at the foot of Main street, where Joseph T Hanna and Rollin H Hanna afterwards erected residences. When the Hannas were clearing off this site preparatory to building, the writer knowing that it was the location of the old fort went over the grounds and was surprised to find plainly the marks of palisades or stockades that remained from the fortification. As he returned to Main street, he called on the late Charles CW Norwood, who was then nearly ninety years of age, and told him of this discovery. Mr Norwood replied that there could be no mistake in the identification for he remembered the palisades well; that the stockade was still standing within his recollection, and that he had been in the fort before it was removed.
We can imagine how it must have appeared before any houses were built around the place, and while it was still in the midst of the open forest trees, having a view in every direction ,so that an enemy could not approach without being seen. The beautiful spring of pure crystal water, flowing at the base of the bluff, afforded an abundance of cold water; the precipitous bluffs rising so that an enemy could not cut off the supply of water; while the stockades, set in such manner that the force within could have range for their guns at any angle, and at the same time be almost entirely protected by the timbers. made it a place of extraordinary strength and defense. Only a few years before this writing, part of one of the buildings still remained on the grounds, and even now the remains of another stands on a lot belonging to Raymond R Patton, to which place it was removed, then rebuilt and used as a barn.
The greater part
of the time the people were so harassed by the Indians who lay in
wait for such as should venture outside that the fort became their
home. Here they subsisted on coarse but wholesome food the flesh of
wild animals furnishing the meat, while parched corn and bread made
from corn grated or beaten with the pestle completed the bill of
fare. The clothing was coarse and strong spun at home from cotton
wool and flax and also made from the hides of wild animals. The
inmates of the fort had to be perpetually on the alert with their
rifles close at hand and their powder dry. A writer has said The
lives of these pioneers were in constant danger every trail in the
forest was the scene of danger and attack mothers instinctively drew
their little ones closer to their bosoms husbands and wives looked
into each others faces with a tenderness born of their fear of
separation .
David Craig's Fort located on Nine mile creek near Brickmill
Fort Gamble
Houston's fort and located on Nine Mile creek, was the scene of some of the greatest hardships and severest fighting experienced by the pioneers of Tennessee. It was named for and commanded by Major James Houston, who was a leading and courageous man, of marked ability, and a whole souled patriot. He was a man of means and from his own possessions fed the soldiers ,sent for and obtained ammunition, bore the brunt of battle in the times of war, and yet was never remunerated. He was a man of note.
Fort Gillespie
(1785 -
1788), near Rockford
A settlers' fort attacked and destroyed
by Cherokee Indians led by John Watts in October 1788. Afterwards it
was known as Burnt Station. Located about two miles northeast
of the Maryville Airport. Also spelled Gillespy.
Samuel Henry's (Sr.) Station on Little River
A settlers' fort located on Old Niles Ferry Road about 2.5 miles east of the Blount - Loudon County line. Attacked by Cherokee Indians led by John Watts in August 1793. Henry's brick mill (1815) is still extant, located one-half mile southwest on Brick Mill Road. Fort Henry (Samuel Henry)
The Defense of Houston's Station
James Houston's station stood about six miles south of Maryville. It was occupied by the families of James Houston, McConnell McEwen, Sloan, and Henry. It was attacked by a party of one hundred Indians. The women assisted in the defense as they were able. Mrs McEwen, who afterwards became the wife of the senior Rev Samuel Doak, DD, displayed great equanimity and heroism. She procured the bullet moulds, and was running bullets for the different guns.
Hunter's fort, located on Baker's creek near Brick mill. The people would go out to the fields to plant their corn and would place a guard to watch for Indians, who with their trusty rifles, kept close watch and when necessary gave the alarm, so that all might make their way to the fort for defense and mutual protection.
(source: History of New Providence Presbyterian Church, Maryville, Tenn., 1786-1921, 1921, New Providence Presbyterian Church, Maryville, TN,Will A. McTeer)
Ish's located in the northwest part of the county, near the (now the Tennessee) river
Kelly's Fort near Rockford
Kirk's on the Little River
Martin's located at Sanderson's Mill, on Nails Creek
Fort McCroskey
Fort McCullock
Fort McTeer
A
settlers' fort and mill located one mile south of Eusebia Church.
Fort Redford
Fort Thomas
located about
three and one-half miles southeast of Maryville
Fort Wells near Dug Gap and little Dug Gap Rd (35.8083333, -84.0583333)
