Elijah Clarke
Encyclopedia
Elijah Clarke born in Anson County, North Carolina
, was a soldier and officer with the Continentals and considered a hero of the American Revolutionary War
. Afterward he was elected to the Georgia legislature. In 1794 he organized the Trans-Oconee Republic
, several settlements in counties of Georgia in traditional Creek territory. From there he attacked Creek villages, but was restrained by the Georgia government.
. As a young man, he moved from North Carolina to Wilkes County, Georgia
.
and alongside John Dooly
in various skirmishes, including the battles of Alligator Bridge
and Kettle Creek
.
On August 18 (or 19), 1780, Cols. Clarke, Isaac Shelby
with the Overmountain Men
from the Watauga Association
at Sycamore Shoals
near present-day Elizabethton, Tennessee
, and James Miller
from the Ninety-Six District of South Carolina, led 200 mounted Patriots in a surprising victory against a larger British Loyalist force numbering 500 men at the Battle of Musgrove Mill
near the present-day city of Clinton, South Carolina
.
In September 1780, Clarke led an army in an unsuccessful attempt to reclaim Augusta, Georgia
from the British. He would later succeed in taking the city with Andrew Pickens in a two-month siege
beginning on April 1781.
from 1781 to 1790. After his service in the state legislature, he became involved in some speculative and ill-thought enterprises.
In 1793, with the encouragement of the French ambassador Edmond-Charles Genêt
, Clarke entered the French army as a major general and participated in designs against the Spanish in Florida. (Great Britain had ceded its territory in Florida to the Spanish, but by 1793 they were allies of the British.)
The following year, in 1794 Clarke declared what he called the Trans-Oconee Republic
, which included settlements in Creek territory in present-day Greene
, Morgan
, Putnam
and Baldwin
counties in Georgia. From his new settlements, he led a number of campaigns against the Creek. The State of Georgia ordered Clarke to dismantle his settlements, but he refused. Governor George Mathews
, disturbed that Clarke was attempting to create an independent government, ordered the settlements broken up. The Georgia militia accomplished this without violence, and Clarke surrendered.
Clarke was alleged to have participated in the Yazoo Land Fraud, and Governor Mathews was also involved in the scandal. In spite of his questionable post-revolution activities, Clarke continued to be held in high esteem by the public.
He died in Augusta
in 1799. His interment was located in his Lincolnton state park
.
was elected as governor of Georgia, serving from 1819 to 1823.
, a film released in 2000.
Anson County, North Carolina
-See also:*National Register of Historic Places listings in Anson County, North Carolina-External links:*...
, was a soldier and officer with the Continentals and considered a hero of the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. Afterward he was elected to the Georgia legislature. In 1794 he organized the Trans-Oconee Republic
Trans-Oconee Republic
The Trans-Oconee Republic was a short-lived, independent state west of the Oconee River . Established by General Elijah Clarke in May 1794, it was an attempt to head off the new Federal government's ceding of lands claimed by Georgia back to the Creek...
, several settlements in counties of Georgia in traditional Creek territory. From there he attacked Creek villages, but was restrained by the Georgia government.
Early life and education
Clarke was born in Anson County, North CarolinaAnson County, North Carolina
-See also:*National Register of Historic Places listings in Anson County, North Carolina-External links:*...
. As a young man, he moved from North Carolina to Wilkes County, Georgia
Wilkes County, Georgia
Wilkes County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 10,687. The 2007 Census estimate shows a population of 10,262. The county seat is the city of Washington. Referred to as "Washington-Wilkes", the county seat and county are commonly treated as a...
.
Military career
In 1774 Clarke joined the patriot militia. During the war, he served under Andrew PickensAndrew Pickens
Andrew Pickens may refer to:*Andrew Pickens , American revolutionary soldier and US Congressman, South Carolina*Andrew Pickens , War of 1812 and Governor of South Carolina...
and alongside John Dooly
John Dooly
Colonel John Dooly , born in Wilkes County, North Carolina, was an American Revolutionary war hero. He commanded a regiment at the Battle of Kettle Creek in 1779 and was killed at his home by Tories in 1780....
in various skirmishes, including the battles of Alligator Bridge
Battle of Alligator Bridge
The Battle of Alligator Bridge took place on June 30, 1778, and was the only major engagement in an unsuccessful campaign to conquer British East Florida during the American Revolutionary War...
and Kettle Creek
Battle of Kettle Creek
The Battle of Kettle Creek was one of the most important battles of the American Revolutionary War to be fought in Georgia. The battle was fought on February 14, 1779, in Wilkes County about eight miles from present-day Washington, Georgia...
.
On August 18 (or 19), 1780, Cols. Clarke, Isaac Shelby
Isaac Shelby
Isaac Shelby 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 Dunmore's War, the Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812...
with the Overmountain Men
Overmountain Men
The Overmountain Men were American frontiersmen from west of the Appalachian Mountains who took part in the American Revolutionary War. While they were present at multiple engagements in the war's southern campaign, they are best known for their role in the American victory at the Battle of Kings...
from the Watauga Association
Watauga Association
The Watauga Association was a semi-autonomous government created in 1772 by frontier settlers living along the Watauga River in what is now present day Elizabethton, Tennessee...
at Sycamore Shoals
Sycamore Shoals
The Sycamore Shoals of the Watauga River, usually shortened to Sycamore Shoals, is a rocky stretch of river rapids along the Watauga River in Elizabethton, in the U.S. state of Tennessee...
near present-day Elizabethton, Tennessee
Elizabethton, Tennessee
Elizabethton is the county seat of Carter County, Tennessee, United States. Elizabethton is also the historical site both of the first independent American government located west of both the Eastern Continental Divide and the original thirteen British American colonies.Elizabethton is also the...
, and James Miller
James Miller
James Miller may refer to:*James Miller , American academic and writer*James Miller , Scottish architect*James Miller...
from the Ninety-Six District of South Carolina, led 200 mounted Patriots in a surprising victory against a larger British Loyalist force numbering 500 men at the Battle of Musgrove Mill
Battle of Musgrove Mill
The Battle of Musgrove Mill, August 19, 1780, occurred near a ford of the Enoree River, near the present-day border between Spartanburg, Laurens and Union Counties in South Carolina...
near the present-day city of Clinton, South Carolina
Clinton, South Carolina
Clinton is a city in Laurens County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 8,091 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area. Clinton was first settled by Scots-Irish immigrants two decades before the American Revolutionary...
.
In September 1780, Clarke led an army in an unsuccessful attempt to reclaim Augusta, Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
from the British. He would later succeed in taking the city with Andrew Pickens in a two-month siege
Siege
A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, Latin for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low intensity conflict characterized by one party holding a strong, static...
beginning on April 1781.
Political career
After the war, Clarke served in the Georgia General AssemblyGeorgia General Assembly
The Georgia General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is bicameral, being composed of the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Senate....
from 1781 to 1790. After his service in the state legislature, he became involved in some speculative and ill-thought enterprises.
In 1793, with the encouragement of the French ambassador Edmond-Charles Genêt
Edmond-Charles Genêt
Edmond-Charles Genêt , also known as Citizen Genêt, was a French ambassador to the United States during the French Revolution.-Early life:Genêt was born in Versailles in 1763...
, Clarke entered the French army as a major general and participated in designs against the Spanish in Florida. (Great Britain had ceded its territory in Florida to the Spanish, but by 1793 they were allies of the British.)
The following year, in 1794 Clarke declared what he called the Trans-Oconee Republic
Trans-Oconee Republic
The Trans-Oconee Republic was a short-lived, independent state west of the Oconee River . Established by General Elijah Clarke in May 1794, it was an attempt to head off the new Federal government's ceding of lands claimed by Georgia back to the Creek...
, which included settlements in Creek territory in present-day Greene
Greene County, Georgia
Greene County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 3, 1786. As of 2000, the population is 14,406. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 15,662. The county seat is Greensboro...
, Morgan
Morgan County, Georgia
Morgan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 15,457. The 2005 Census Estimate shows a population of 17,492. The county seat is Madison, Georgia.-Geography:...
, Putnam
Putnam County, Georgia
Putnam County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 18,812. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 21,251...
and Baldwin
Baldwin County, Georgia
Baldwin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2010, the population was 46,337. The county seat is Milledgeville.Baldwin County is part of the Milledgeville Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes neighboring Hancock County....
counties in Georgia. From his new settlements, he led a number of campaigns against the Creek. The State of Georgia ordered Clarke to dismantle his settlements, but he refused. Governor George Mathews
George Mathews (Georgia)
George Mathews was an United States planter, merchant, and pioneer from Virginia and western Georgia. He served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War then settled in Georgia. He served as the 20th Governor of Georgia, one term in the U.S...
, disturbed that Clarke was attempting to create an independent government, ordered the settlements broken up. The Georgia militia accomplished this without violence, and Clarke surrendered.
Clarke was alleged to have participated in the Yazoo Land Fraud, and Governor Mathews was also involved in the scandal. In spite of his questionable post-revolution activities, Clarke continued to be held in high esteem by the public.
He died in Augusta
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
in 1799. His interment was located in his Lincolnton state park
Elijah Clark State Park
Elijah Clark State Park is a 447 acre Georgia state park located in Lincolnton, on the western shore of Lake Strom Thurmond. The park is named for Elijah Clarke, a frontiersman and Revolutionary War hero who led a force of pioneers in Georgia during the American Revolution. A newly renovated log...
.
Marriage and family
He married and had several children. His son John ClarkJohn Clark (Georgia governor)
John Clark was an American politician.-Career:Clark served in the Georgia House of Representatives prior to being elected to consecutive two-year terms as the 31st Governor from 1820 to 1824.Clark also served in the Georgia Militia during the American Revolution and achieved the rank of Major...
was elected as governor of Georgia, serving from 1819 to 1823.
Representation in other media
Clarke and his actions served as one of the sources for the fictional character of Benjamin Martin in The PatriotThe Patriot (2000 film)
The Patriot is a 2000 historical war film directed by Roland Emmerich, written by Robert Rodat, and starring Mel Gibson, Chris Cooper, and Heath Ledger. It was produced by the Mutual Film Company and Centropolis Entertainment and was distributed by Columbia Pictures...
, a film released in 2000.