Mountain-men won the Revolutionary War: 

The American War for Independence nearly failed in 1780. Appalachian “Overmountain Men” turned the tide at Kings Mountain. My G5, William Maxwell, was part of it.

I was surprised to learn that the British Commanding Officer Colonel Patrick Ferguson, was the only man from Briton on the field. Additionally, Ferguson had General George Washington literally in his gun site at one point in the war. He refused to take the shot when the general turned his back while lining up his site. 

Killed in the Kings Mountain battle, Colonel Fergusons death denied the British the use of a breach loading musket he was developing, that could have changed the course of the war.

This is a top rated National Park, and a must-see for any history buff. A wonderful interpretive film from The History Channel. Interpretive signage is first rate, the walking paths are cushioned asphalt. Beautiful scenery. In the winter the vista from the top is wonderful.

Cowpens National Battlefield Park is very well done too. I wish there were more sites like these. The Cowan’s Ford Battlefield doesn’t even have a pull-off on the highway.

Kins Mountain National Battlefield is ocated at 2625 Park Rd, Blacksburg, SC 29702

360º of Kings Mountain Virtual Reality Tour

Militiaman William Maxwell

born: 1756, Pennsylvania

died: 07 December 1838, Smith County, Tennessee

married: Elizabeth Parke 11 June 1785, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

Pension application October 2, 1832

“…declarant again volunteered his services, though he cannot recollect the date of the service, from the County of Mecklenburg and joined the Company commanded by Captain James Houston and rendezvoused near Charlotte and crossed the Catawba and marched towards Kings Mountain. Declarant was one of the advance guard under the command of Captain Thomas Shelby – and joined the corps under the command of Col Campbell [William Campbell] and under him Cols Shelby [Isaac Shelby] and Sevier [John Sevier]. Declarant was in the battle that was fought at that place [Battle of Kings Mountain, October 7, 1780] , and he recollects that his Captain Houston received a wound in the knee, which disabled him. After the battle of Kings Mountain declarant returned with his company home, and was discharged. Shortly after his return home, he again volunteered his services under Captain Richard Simmons…”

Veteran was pensioned at the rate of $88.33 per annum commencing March 4th, 1831, for service as a private for 10 months in the cavalry and 14 months in the infantry, all in the North Carolina militia.

From: The Patriots at Kings Mountain by Bobby Gilmer Moss

“William Maxwell moved to Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, as a youth. While residing there he enlisted under Capt. Charles Polk, Lt.-Col. Polk, and Col. Alexander Martin and marched to Cross Creek against the Scotish Tories. Thereafter, he volunteered under Capt. Shelby and was in the battles at Ramsour’s Mill and Raft Swamp. He was in Gates’s Defeat. He then enlisted under Capt. James Houston and was in the battle at Kings Mountain. Maxwell enlisted under Capt. William Alexander, marched to South Carolina, joined Col. Hampton, and was in the skirmish at Quarter House and the battle at Blackstock’s Plantation. He was under Capt. James Maxwell* in the skirmishes at Cowan’s Ford and Torrence’s Tavern. Thereafter, he was under Capt. Richard Simmons, Maj. Graham, Col. Robert Smith, and Gen. Rutherford on the Wilmington Expedition and was in the engagement at the Brick House. He executed a pension application 2 October 1832 while residing in Rutherford County, Tennessee, and aged seventy-six years. His widow executed a pension application 5 September 1839 while residing in Smith County, Tennessee. Their children were: Charlotte (26 April 1789), James (27 February 1791), John (14 February 1793), Lydia (3 February 1795), William (3 January 1797), Elizabeth (18 December 1798), Robert (6 May 1805), Jesse (18 April 1807), and Nancy (5 August 1810). His widow died 8 February 1840. FPA R7046; PI.”

Willam Maxwell’s grandson James Jarvis Maxwell served with the 4th Tennessee Mounted Infantry (U.S.) in the American Civil War. He said his choice on which side to serve, was based on his grandfathers sacrifice for the United States in the Revolutionary War. His younger brother William** fought for the South. Family legend has it, that if it had not been for the intervention of their mother, one of them would have killed the other on at least one occasion.

*Captain James Maxwell is father of William Maxwell

**William Maxwell possibly served with the 13th Tennessee Cavalry CSA.

William Maxwell is my 5th great-grandfather, James Jarvis Maxwell my 3rd: Bob Henderson