John Skeggs(Skaggs) The Original Overmountain Man My great-great-great-grandfather who served in the Revolutionary War, at the Battle of Kings Mountain.John Skeggs (Skaggs) of Reeces Bowen’s company is listed on the 1909 plaque as wounded at The Battle of King’s Mountain . Battle participant. Moss Skaggs interprets his name as John Skeggs,( Skaggs). . He was wounded in the wrist. John Skeggs (Skaggs) walked hundreds of miles in 1780 to lend his Kentucky Long Rifle to this pivotal victory in the fight for American independence; history records him as one of the original Overmountain Men, the first wave of the storied Tennessee & Kentucky Volunteers. The Skaggs family has continued the tradition in successive generations during different wars. John Skeggs lived at Abingdon - they called it Wolf Hills then - in Indian times. Abingdon was originally named Wolf Hills because a pack of wolves emerged from a cave and attacked Daniel Boone’s dogs here in 1760‘s. In the 1770s, the name changed to Blacks Fort after Joseph Black built a fort nearby to protect settlers against Indian raids. Blacks Fort’s name was later changed to Abingdon in honor of Martha Washingtons British home, Abingdon Parrish. The Indians attacked that settlement and captured one of John Skeggs daughters. They carried her over the Breaks of Sandy through now called Skaggs Gap and down by Skeggs Hole and up Skaggs Branch to the top of Cumberland Mountain, and camped that night under a cliff just down on the Kentucky side below Bluehead Knob. The old man John Skaggs and some of his neighbors followed Indians to Skeggs Branch where they stopped, and the old man John Skeggs said he wasnt going any further, as the Indians had too much lead of them, and they could not overtake the Indians. But a young man in the company - Georgie Reed said he was going on to rescue the girl. After the other whites had left early the next morning, this young man went to the top of the mountains and saw smoke rising a little distance down that mountain-side. He scouted around above them, and saw that they had the girl with them. All of them were asleep, being tired out from their long walk from Abingdon. When he located the girl, he slipped in among the sleeping Indians and aroused her, and they slipped out of camp, coming over the mountain thru Skeggs Gap to Skeggs Hole. Here they heard the Indians coming after them, and they quickly climbed up the cliff on the river bank, and hid in a little cave. The Indians traced them to the foot of the cliff, but lost their trail there. Some of them went up the river and some down the river, but none of them thought about looking up in the Cliff. The young man and girl heard the Indians hunting all about them nearly all day, but they never did find them. They spent the night there in the cave and early next morning started for home. It is said the girl had a baby about nine months later, but the old man Skeggs did not scold his daughter. John Skeggs went later to what is barrons of Kentucky in the Green area, where his family owned much land owned by his brothers the Long Hunters Henry,Richard, Charles, and Rev.James Jr. Skaggs. Georgie Reed used to live in the South of the Mountain. Georgie Reed who had married in Montgomery County, VA to Nancy Skeggs. John Skeggs was a surety on their marriage bond, and was listed in the Montgomery County, VA Census, he was the father of Nancy. Nancy Skeggs & George Reed, I found records of a lawsuit and there is some truth to the story about the lawsuit as it is mentioned again in another recollection. George & Nancy lived in Skeetrock or South of the Mountain, now Dickenson County, VA and Skeggs Hole is located nearby. refered to re: Jeremiah Skeggs, s/o Zachariah. Skeetrock appears as on the Clintwood U.S map. Skaggs Hole (or just Skaggs or Skeggs) Tunnel, all 519 of it. This one’s near Bartlick in Dickenson County. It was faced up in 1931. A trestle comes into the tunnel over the Russell Fork River…we’re about 7 miles, trackwise, from Elkhorn City. It was a long side road drive to get access to this one. It became much easier to travel through the Big Sandy Breaks. Portals such as the Skaggs Hole Tunnel. Daniel Boone is credited with discovering The Breaks in 1767 as he attempted to find ever-improved trails into Kentucky and the Ohio River Valley beyond. Passes through these rugged mountains were called breaks by early settlers. The Breaks was one of only a handful of narrow passageways through 125-mile-long Pine Mountain. Even today, no more than half a dozen roads cross Pine Mountain. Dickenson County, where The Breaks is located, is one of the few counties in Virginia that does not have a U.S. highway within its borders. In 1767 Daniel Boone missed the Cumberland Gap, and made his way to the Breaks of Sandy now eastern Kentucky.This was Daniel Boone first trip into Kentucky.The Breaks was too much for Boone and his two companions. When they tried to navigate this awesome gorge by foot, they encountered copperheads and rattlesnakes, as well as the Russell Fork of the Big Sandy River as it crashed through a constricted canyon with 1,000-foot sheer walls. They were overwhelmed by impenetrable tangles of rhododendron and mountain laurel and a forest of towering trees, some of which were 7 feet thick. The three men pitched camp nearby, sat out the winter of 1768, then turned back to their homes on North Carolinas more peaceful Yadkin River. In 1769 Daniel Boone was lead to the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky by John Finley. About twenty years before this In 1750 Dr. Thomas Walker explored Kentucky 19 years before the arrival of Daniel Boone. He was an explorer from Virginia. He was responsible for naming what is now known as the Cumberland Gap. During this same time frame the Skaggs Family lived in the southwestern part of Virginia in a community called Skeggs , Virginia located near Grundy and Bart lick, VA and by Elkhorn City Kentucky. Back in those days we spelled our last name “Skeggs but later on it was spelled Skaggs or Scaggs.James Skaggs Sr. used to go on hunts with his sons which became the Famous Kentucky Long Hunters into the area known as the “Breaks.” This is also the route Mathias Harman used when he founded ‘Harman Station” located near Paintsville, Kentucky in the 1780’s. Most people don’t realize that Mathias Harman’s wife Lydia Skaggs Harman was the sister to the Famous Kentucky Long Hunters. Mathias Harman was a brother-in-law, the Skaggs family and Harman Family hunted together. Back to the Breaks there’s several places that were named after the Skaggs family like Skaggs Gap, Skaggs Tunnel, Skaggs Rock, Skaggs Branch and Skaggs Hole during the 1750’s In the early 1740’s, James Skaggs (Skeggs) Sr. lived in southwestern Virginia and, along with his sons, hunted and explored the area around the Breaks. James’ father was Thomas Richard Skaggs and his grandfather William Russell Skaggs. The Russell Fork River was named after him. The Russell Fork River is nearly 52 miles long and is a tributary of the Levisa Fork in Southeastern Kentucky and southwestern Virginia. Now, it is famous for its whitewater rafting, although the settlers and hunters in those days probably weren’t overly happy with its choppy waters that made traversing difficult. It travels through the Haysi, Virginia and on into the Breaks Interstate Park, including Elkhorn City, Kentucky. There, it enters the Levisa Fork which helps form the Big Sandy River. A trail off of the river will take you to Skeggs (Skaggs) Gap and a scenic Pine Mountain Trail will lead you to an overlook of the Pinnacle Rock and Gap. William Russell Skaggs, sometimes called Busel and who the river is named for, came from Derry in Ulster, Ireland. The first records of families settling in the Big Sandy Valley of Eastern Kentucky date from about 1789. However, very little growth occurred during the following decade. In the autumn of 1800. The trail traveled to Kentucky went north from the Watauga - returning along the same route from Abingdon, Virginia - and then turned west towards Pound Gap in the Cumberland Mountains. After crossing the gap into Floyd County, they continued north into the upper reaches of the Kentucky River Valley. Within a few more miles, they entered the rugged valley of Elkhorn Creek and proceeded towards Shelby Gap, the pass into the headwaters of Shelby Creek. The final segment of the long journey went down the creek to within about two miles of its confluence with the Big Sandy River. (As an early Kentucky explorer,John and Henry Skaggs was discussed in the book Isaac Shelby: Revolutionary Patriot and Border Hero, Vol. 1, by Archibald Henderson, 1918 (p. 125):Isaac Shelby (December 11, 1750 – July 18, 1826) was the first and fifth Governor of the U.S. state of Kentucky and served in the state legislatures of Virginia and North Carolina. He was also a soldier in Lord Dunmores War, the Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812. While governor, he personally led the Kentucky militia in the Battle of the Thames, an action that was rewarded with a Congressional Gold Medal. Counties in nine states, and several cities and military bases, have been named in his honor. His fondness for John Dickinsons The Liberty Song is believed to be the reason Kentucky adopted the state motto United we stand, divided we fall. Shelbys military service began when he served as second-in-command to his father at the Battle of Point Pleasant, the only major battle of Lord Dunmores War.( See Skaggs War Records) He gained the reputation of an expert woodsman and surveyor, and spent the early part of the Revolutionary War gathering supplies for the Continental Army. Later in the war, he and John Sevier led expeditions over the Appalachian Mountains against the British forces in North Carolina. He played a pivotal role in the British defeat at the Battle of Kings Mountain. For his service, he was presented with a ceremonial sword and a pair of pistols by the North Carolina legislature, and the nickname Old Kings Mountain followed him the rest of his life. They were called The Overmountain Men, the Yelling Boys or the Backwater Men who would scream and fight like hell, then retreat back over the mountains out of reach. They were despised by both the British and the Tories alike who considered them to be nothing more than a damned banditti to be dealt with as soon as possible. So when Major Patrick Ferguson sent an ultimatum over the mountains to Col. Isaac Shelby stating for them to “Desist from their opposition to the British arms and take protection under his standard or he would march his army over the mountains, hang their leaders, and lay their country waste with fire and sword”, The result was predictable. The Long Hunters were called in and an army of over 1400 men was raised to find and destroy Major. Ferguson and his entire command. After a forced march of almost 3 weeks they accomplished the task at the battle of King’s Mountain. On September 25, 1780, Sycamore Shoals became the muster site of the Overmountain Men, who set out to find British Major Patrick Ferguson, who had threatened to “hang your leaders and lay waste to your country with fire and sword.” The Overmountain Men defeated Ferguson in just over an hour in the epic battle of King’s Mountain. Many historians believe that the actions of these men at Sycamore Shoals turned the tide of the American Revolution, and saved America from British rule and control. John Skaggs Sr. (Longhunter)married to a Ruth Elkins that she later married a John Bishop. Jeremiah Skaggs married Hannah Lester.( After Jeremiah death in 1798 Hannah married Edmund Whitt in 1801-2. son of Richard &Susannah Skaggs Whitt)and (brother to Hezekiah Whitt Rev. Hero) Hannahs brother married Rachel Rebecca Skaggs. Rachel married William Lester, son of Abner Lester and Martha Arthur. Her marriage bond was signed by Ruth Bishop wife of John Bishop. Ruth was the wife of a John Skaggs first and married or lived with John Bishop next. John Skaggs Sr. was the son of James Sr. and Rachel Skaggs, father of all the longhunters. Ruth Skaggs, whose maiden name was Elkins, was married to a John Skaggs and was taken by the Cherokee in the 1760’s and traveled with them down to the Carolinas. Although she was later able to leave them and managed to make it back home to Virginia, she did so while carrying a child. The daughter was later named Rachel (also known as Rebecca in some records) and took the last name of Skaggs. Ruth and John’s marriage did not withstand and she eventually married John Bishop who raised her daughter as his own. It was not uncommon for the captured women who showed bravery and courage to be doctored into the tribe that took them and even be made wives. For some, this was a far superior alternative to the death that otherwise awaited them. For most, however, escaping and trying to find their way back home seemed the better option. After all, many of the women who were taken prisoner had watched others being murdered around them during their capture, sometimes even their own children, so staying with those who might do them harm was not necessarily an appealing choice for them. They would much rather face the elements and take their chances back home with their families and loved ones. Ironically, although the idea of Ruth coming back to Virginia with the child of an Indian mate might not have been socially acceptable in those days, Rachel/Rebecca’s lineage today might actually be one of the most interesting ones and something that her descendants can use with pride. Rachel/Rebecca descends from Wahanganoche, the first cousin to Pocahontas. Wahanganoche, also known as Whipsewasson, was a nephew to Chief Powhatan and the last chief of the Patawomeck tribe. Chief Powhatan, of course, was the father to Pocahontas. On September 25, 1780, Sycamore Shoals became the muster site of the Overmountain Men, who set out to find British Major Patrick Ferguson, who had threatened to “hang your leaders and lay waste to your country with fire and sword.” The Overmountain Men defeated Ferguson in just over an hour in the epic battle of King’s Mountain. Many historians believe that the actions of these men at Sycamore Shoals turned the tide of the American Revolution, and saved America from British rule and control. Declaration of Independence democracy and the place where a citizen militia gathered to change the course of the American Revolution. This trail meanders 330 miles through four states following patriot militia as they gathered in September 1780 for the Revolutionary Battle of Kings Mountain, SC. The mounted horsemen from Virginia and Tennessee crossed the Appalachians and joined North Carolinians to trap and defeat loyalists under British Major Patrick Ferguson. The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (OVHT) is part of the U.S. National Trails System. It recognizes the Revolutionary War Overmountain Men, Patriots from what is now East Tennessee who crossed the Great Smoky Mountains and then fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain in South Carolina. The OVHT follows the route from Abingdon, Virginia, fording the Watauga River at Sycamore Shoals through present day Elizabethton, Tennessee, crossing the Doe River twice near both Hampton, Tennessee and Roan Mountain, Tennessee, and ascending over the steep Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, on through South Carolina to the site of the Battle of Kings Mountain now within Kings Mountain National Military Park. The trail network consists of a 330-mile corridor, including a 70-mile branch from Elkins, (Ruth Eklins Skaggs)North Carolina, that joins the main route at Morganton, North Carolina. Fifty-seven miles of OVHT are officially developed for public use, and development continues on the remaining sections. The official sections of the trail were established through agreements with current landowners and often have overlapping designations. All officially certified segments are identified through the use of signs displaying the trail logo (an Overmountain man in profile on a brown and white triangle) or a white triangular blaze. A parallel Commemorative Motor Route travels along state highways and, in some stretches, actually travels over the old historic roadway. The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail is a cooperative effort of the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Overmountain Victory Trail Association, local governments, local citizens associations, local historical societies and the states of Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail runs from Abingdon, Va., to the Kings Mountain National Military Park in South Carolina, crossing parts of Tennessee and North Carolina. A separate branch stretches from Elkin to Morganton in North Carolina, where it joins the main trail. The trail commemorates the route used by Patriot forces that marched across the mountains and defeated an army of Loyalists under Maj. Patrick Ferguson at the Battle of Kings Mountain on 7 Oct. 1780. There are three different routes in the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail: a motor route along public highways; the original, often inaccessible route of the Patriot army; and the route utilized in modern times by the Overmountain Victory Trail Association in their annual reenactment of the historic march. Like so many historical routes—most of the actual path is now under pavement, graded, flattened, and forgotten. But if only walking the same earth trod by these troops makes Memorial Day meaningful for you—a number of original sections of the trail in Western NC and East Tennessee truly demand attention. Two trails featured here are colonial roads that felt the tread of patriot militia. They’re both spots where the trail goes “over the mountain.” Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (OVHT) is part of the U.S. National Trails System. It recognizes the Revolutionary War Overmountain Men, Patriots from what is now East Tennessee who crossed the Great Smoky Mountains and then fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain in South Carolina. John Skeggs(Skaggs son of James Sr, and Rachel Moredock Skaggs). Lieutenant Reece Bowens Rations and Forage list for October 1780, the Kings Mountain campaign as found in the State Library of Virginia in Richmond. VA State Library - Archives and Manuscripts Collection; Record Group 48, APA 225; Militia Lists, 1779-1782; BC = 1081446 Box 679; Folder #16 The Commonwealth of Virginia 1780 to Lieut. Reece Bowen Dr. Oct. To Rations and Forage as Lieutenant of Hors for 17 days, dedicting one Ration of Provisions and Forage for each day Washington This day Serjeant James Hill came before me, and made Oath that the within Pay Roll is just—Certified under my hand, January 20th 1781 Wm Campbell A Pay-Roll of Lieutenant Reece Bowens Company of Militia for Washington County, under the Command of Colonel William Campbell upon the Expedition to Kings Mountain in So Carolina. The Patriots at Kings Mountain, Scotia-Hibernia Press, Blacksburg, SC, [hereinafter cited simply as Moss] as a participant in the battle of Kings Mountain. A man included in Moss as a participant in the battle will be noted hereinafter as Battle participant. Moss on pp. 278-279 lists men known to have been on the campaign to Kings Mountain but who were on foot and did not make it to the battle itself. A man on this list will be noted hereinafter as Campaign participant. Moss on pp. 280-291 lists men who may have been on the campaign and/or in the battle. A man on this list will be noted as a Possible participant. 2 A man by this name is listed as a Possible participant, but this entry would entitle him to listing as a Battle participant. 3 Battle participant. Moss interprets his name as John Skeggs, Sceggs, Skaggs,
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 16:40:01 +0000
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