These forts and blockhouses were named Fort McGaughey, Fort McFadden, Pott’s Fort, Hampton’s Fort, Munford’s Fort and Earl’s Fort. This battle took place October 7, 1780, and was the turning point of the war. 1. Gold mining in the county led to an increase in population. Welcome to our Rutherford County family history research page. Through the library’s bookmobile, families living in the remotest sections of the county could borrow books for reading. The Heritage of Rutherford County, NC - Vol. Conditions in Rutherford County following the War of 1812 were far from inspiring. 929.3756 N N.C.C. 14 North Carolina (Rutherford County), Henrietta — Raleigh Rutherford Haynes / Simpson Bobo Tanner — 1885 — are known as the fathers of the textile industry in Rutherford County. Birth of Elizabeth Padgett. This money was to be spent under the direction of the Board of Internal Improvements. This flame has continued to burn until today. These mills brought steady work and much needed household cash to folks who toiled long hot days on the local farms for generations. Most activity took place on the farm: planting of grain, raising cattle and sheep, and growing food for the table. Life, following the Revolutionary War, in Rutherford County was not in the best of conditions. Rutherford County is a county located in the southwestern area of the U.S. state of North Carolina. Search USA North Carolina Rutherford County Rutherford County . To the east lay British tyranny pressing with taxes, military power and government, to the west in the mountains of the Blue Ridge lay the Cherokee nations whose warriors pressed back hard against the advancing settlers, declaring “no more yield to native land.” To make matters worse, within the colonials own new settlements were families loyal to the British Crown, the Tories. Other improvements in Rutherford County during this period were the nucleus of the present school system and completion of the railroads and. To escape Ferguson the people took refuge in the following forts: McGaughy; McFadden; Potts; Hampton; Mumfords; and Earle. The General Assembly appointed a commission of five men: Thomas Rowland, William Nevill, Felix Walker, James Miller, and James Whiteside to select a new site for the county seat. North Carolina Statewide Online Genealogy Records. In 1829, the General Assembly appropriated $12,000, through the Board of Internal Improvements, to complete a road through Hickory Nut Gap to Asheville. New highways and automobiles knitted the communities closer together. Though agricultural and natural resources were the county’s main livelihood it took the waterways and roadways to get the goods to the market. Whiteside County, Illinois, was named for the Whiteside family who were early settlers here. In 1950, Rutherford County began a year of growth, prosperity, and hope. In the past the counties had been governed by the court and justices of the peace. These members believe that a foundation of large rocks at the top of a hill near Puzzle Creek once supported the home of Abraham Enloe, who they believe to be Lincoln’s real father. The first meeting of the Rutherford County Board of Commissioners was held August 3, 1868 with the following men serving: B. W. Andrews, chairman; J. M. Allen; Calvin J. Sparks; H. H. Hopper; and Jonathan Hampton. The Cherokee didn’t agree with this claim, defending their homelands for decades through conflicts, treaties, politics, law, new world assimilation and dire patience until 1838 when they were forced into the infamous exodus along the “Trail of Tears.”. Taxes were high. During the 1940s Rutherford County centered most of its attention on World War II. As a result, he began an obsession that would continue over the next two decades. The population was 4,213 at the 2010 census. Land could be bought for a nominal fee paid to the state for a grant. In 1791, a small portion of the west sides of Rutherford and Burke County created Buncombe County. 1870-1932, 1935, 1940 Family History Library Rutherford County, North Carolina marriage bonds, early to 1868 Family History Library Rutherford County, North Carolina marriage records, 1799-1867 Family History Library up for the Blue Ridge Highlander Newsletter, Messages from the Mountains Welcome to Rutherford County, North Carolina. Let our visitors tell you about the Highlander... Click the feathers to go to the Highlander site Cities and Towns The first census of the county in 1790 listed 1,136 heads of household. Although General Rutherford was concerned about ambushes against his command, the real truth of the matter was that the Cherokee recognized the invading forces sheer firepower and fled out of harms way leaving their towns almost completely deserted. In both states of Oklahoma and Arkansas are numerous towns named for former Rutherford Countians. Between the years 1791 to 1855, Rutherford County was required to give up parts of its original county district to create regions of the neighboring Buncombe, Cleveland, McDowell, Henderson, and Polk Counties of Western North Carolina to name a few. Unfortunately it ran for only a few months, January to November 1874, when it was burned down. This created a need to keep the roads in repair. Located between Hickory and Asheville, 15 miles south of I-40 on NC Scenic Byway, Route 226, in the Beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, our cabins are within minutes of many of North Carolina's most visited mountain attractions. They burnt down some of the county buildings, roughed up local citizens they considered to be Confederate sympathizers and confiscated needed supplies before leaving the region. Road building during this time demanded money and labor, both of which were in short supply. If you're looking for a private Blue Ridge Mountain getaway, far away from the stress of everyday life, yet close enought to Asheville for all the conveniences you could want, Summit Lodge is that place. At this session of the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, the following appointments were made: Felix Walker, clerk of county court; Richard Singleton, sheriff; Benjamin Hardin, public register; David Miller, entry taker; Jonathan Gullick, county surveyor; Davis Whiteside and William Gilbert, Representative of the House of Commons; and William Porter, Senator. Some of the postcards have writing, but the majority are blank. Brigadier General Griffith Rutherford fought many battles against the British and Tories; due to his wartime exploits he became a noted and courageous war hero whose name has become synonymous to this region’s history. Near this site was located the first textile mill. This paper was called “The North Carolina Spectator and Western Advertiser.”. Ezekiel Enloe surveyed and platted the land. Rutherford County, North Carolina divorce records, ca. Furniture and furnishings for the home were also made from the woods of the forest. The first newspaper, published in Rutherford County, was on January 19, 1830. Gilbert Town, served as the first county seat from 1779 to 1787. Bought by a Mr. Homesley, this mill manufactured cotton yarn. At this time, the local Tryon County seat, saw both the British along with their loyalist Tories and the American patriot's separately camping their troops at Gilbert Town during different times. Old Tryon County was divided into Lincoln and Rutherford Counties in April 1779. To find links to collections for lower jurisdictions (such as a county or town), go to Locating Online Databases.. Ancestry.com, FindMyPast.com, and MyHeritage.com can be searched free of charge at your local family history center or the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Again to Rutherfordton belongs the distinction of being the first mint in the nation to coin a gold dollar. Rutherford County comprises the Forest City, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area. In 1926, the Lake Lure dam was built, covering one thousand-five-hundred acres of land. One thousand seven hundred and thirty four men from Rutherford County served during the Civil War.Â. I have now come across at least two possible locations in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Foothills concerning the late President Abraham Lincoln’s possible birthplace and the possible identity and burial grounds of his father. Rutherford County Discover the past of Rutherford County on historical maps Browse the old maps. The photographs date from the early 1900s and depict various locations in Rutherfordton. Prior to the War of Independence, Rutherford County was named Tyron County; its county seat was at Gilbert Town, established in the mid-1700’s. Zillow has 1,060 homes for sale in Rutherford County NC. The people complained about the muddy condition around the courthouse and Gilbert Town. Rutherford Hospital was opened for use in October 1906. As the Overmountain Men marched through the county they gathered local recruits from October 3rd through the 5th while on their way to encounter Major Ferguson at the Battle of Kings Mountain. During the Revolutionary War the citizens of Rutherford County, were troubled by both Indian and Tory attacks. The Bible was sometimes the only textbook available. Christopher Bechtler, his son August and nephew Christopher Jr. opened a jewelry store in Rutherfordton in 1831. It was this battle that helped decisively turn the Revolutionary War’s Southern Campaign into an American Patriot Victory. These hardy settlers were looking for a new start along the western frontier when they made their way into this region of far Western North Carolina in the mid-1700's. Rutherfordton was incorporated in 1793 and is the county seat. 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