In Your Backyard: Making History at Kings Mountain

LENOIR, NC (September 26, 2017)…Patrick Ferguson never thought an upstart bunch of backwoods, untrained men would rise to his challenge. “If you do not desist your opposition to the British Arms, I shall march this army over the mountains, hang your leaders, and lay waste your country with fire and sword.” By throwing down the proverbial gauntlet, he found out what a ragtag bunch of independent, unorganized group of men could do when united in a single-minded purpose at Kings Mountain.

Isaac Shelby, when receiving that daunting threat, wasted no time in riding to the home of John Sevier, another prominent militia leader in the overmountain region. The leaders decided it would be best to cross the mountains on their terms, not Ferguson’s or anyone else’s and defeat Ferguson on the east side, taking the fight to the British on their terms!!!! Having thrown the gauntlet down, Ferguson became the hunted, no longer the hunter.

Maj. Joseph Winston and Col. Benjamin Cleveland, along with William Lenoir, Martin Davenport, William Davenport, Major Charles Gordon, William Wiseman, Hezekiah Barker, Gabriel Smelter, Jonah Chandler, Jimmy Blair, Levi Laxton, William Sumpter, James Alexander and others from this area joined in on the campaign to stop the British.

Almost as many Loyalists lived in this area as Patriots. Veasey Husband, John Murray, and Thomas Whitson, were among those who fought with Ferguson at Kings Mountain. Like Ferguson, Whitson lost his life during the final minutes of the battle.

Join us at Caldwell Heritage Museum on Saturday, 30 September from 10:00 – 12:00 for a drop-in event about Caldwell County’s (then Wilkes and Burke Counties) part in the battle that was the turning point of the American Revolution. We will host representatives from the Overmountain Victory Trail Association who will share the history of the march to Kings Mountain and information about the Overmountain Victory Trail which comes right through Lenoir.

Hot apple cider and ginger cakes will be served.

Please call the Caldwell Heritage Museum at 828-758-4004 between 10:30 – 4:30, Monday through Friday, Saturday 9:00 -12:00 if you have any questions. The Museum is located at 112 Vaiden Street SW, beside Davenport Elementary School. This event is free.