Transcription follows below
The Mohak Valley of Tennessee
Within the Northern section of Overton County Tennessee there
is a valley known locally as the Mohawk Valley. Just ho this name
developed gives rise to a lack of concern, care or understanding
of the Indians who once occupied this area. Indians did not own
the land as white settlers owned property. To the Indians the
land was provided by the giver of all gifts and was given to mankind
for the sustainment of life. There were recognized territorial
rights for the purposes of hunting, fishing, camping, et. But
not for ownership.
This area was known as Indian Territory until 1805. It was claimed
by North Carolina and Virginia for the purpose of settlements
in the 1770 to 1795 time period. In 1796 when Tennessee became
a state it was Indian territory as was all of the area to be later
designated Overton County. With the free land grants to soldier
of the Revolutionary War and to selected political officials both
North Carolina and Virginia encouraged settlement in the area
of north middle Tennessee and southern middle Kentucky. With the
War of the rebellion in 1812 which was supported by the loyalist
in this area both states awarded free bounty land to those veterans
or widows who made application. The line between Kentucky and
Tennessee was not finally settled until around 1818. The Walker
line. Many of the early settlers were thus from Kentucky or had
Kentucky connections.
As the settlers moved into the northern areas of Overton County
they settled on the Obes River first then on the mouths of the
ctreeks, then on the major creeks, on the lesser creeks and finally
on the runs. Eagle creek with a main stream and a West fork was
one of the major creeks along with Mitchells Creek, Irons creek,
Ashmunds, and many others made up the waterways of the area. Ashmunds
creek with an east, middle and west fork encompasses the upper
reaches of the Mohawk Valley. Some of the early settlers, but
not the earliest settlers in the Ashmunds creek area were TAYLOR,
SELLS, REEIDE, SMITH, MARTIN, DENNIS, CONNER, HATCHER, HUDDLESTON,
HOLT, PATRICK, ASHBURN, WILBORN, CLARK, HURD, ARNEY and others.
Many of these settlers had connections back to Cumberland County
Kentucky and either North Carolina or Virginia. Two of these early
known settlers had the distinction of living in two states at
the same time. Harris HATCHER and Joseph CONNER lived in both
Overton County Tennessee and in Cumberland County Kentucky prior
to 1818. Harris HATCHER married Mary CONNER, the sister of Joseph
CONNER. Both HATCHER and CONNER were from Cumberland County Kentucky.
HATCHER via North Carolina and CONNER via Virginia. As the settlers
were added to the three forks of the Ashmunds creek community.
These settlers……..(Click
here for page two)
This copy of an original is in the possession of Cleston
Conner,sent to him from The Society of the Descendants
of Washington's Army at Valley Forge. Its original origin is unknown
but it looks to be written about 1852. Joseph Conner died in 1854.
©2000-2004 published by Tami Ramsey for personal use only, they may NOT be reproduced in whole or part in any format for presentation, distribution or profit by anyone without the express written consent of the contributor.