Huntsville, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Huntsville is a small unincorporated community in eastern Yadkin County
, North Carolina
, USA. The community was formerly chartered in 1792 by Charles Hunt of Salisbury, NC and was chartered again in 1822 .
. The Shallow Ford, which became part of the Great Wagon Road
, was the only place in the vicinity that was shallow enough for heavy wagons to cross.
When a road was extended from the Moravian settlement of Bethabara to the Shallow Ford in 1753, the village just west of the river became a frequent stop on the stagecoach trail. From the crossing, settlers could continue to Salisbury
and Charlotte
then on as far south as Georgia
. In 1770, the Shallow Ford became part of the western expansion as well, when the Mulberry Fields Road, and what later became known as the Daniel Boone Trail
to Kentucky
, opened.
The area was first known as the Bryan Settlement after Morgan Bryan, a Pennsylvania
Quaker who settled in the frontier three miles (5 km) downstream of the Shallow Ford in 1748. Edward Hughes – who may have been the first settler in the region, arriving as early as 1747 – established a tavern and inn in the area.
and 300 Patriots
from North Carolina and Virginia. The company of Tories was trying to travel to Charlotte to join General Cornwallis.
Patriot Col. Joseph Williams, who lived nearby, called together his men and set up an ambush at the ford. As the Tories, led by Colonel Gideon Wright and his brother Captain Hezikiah Wright, prepared to cross the river, they were ambushed. The conflict was short, hard and decisive. The Tories, badly beaten, fled and scattered.
Fifteen casualties were reported, fourteen Tories and one Patriot, Henry Francis, a captain in the Virginia militia. A tombstone at the Battle Branch, the site of the skirmish, honors Francis. The Big Poplar Tree, a landmark at the site, is believed to have been shot out during the battle.
The battle shares its name with a play written by Ed Simpson, a native of nearby Lewisville
.
On February 7, 1781, General Cornwallis, in pursuit of American General Nathanael Greene
, led his troops across the Yadkin River at the Shallow Ford.
, who was born near Huntsville.
The Rev. Peter Eaton, who represented the area in the North Carolina Senate, petitioned to change the town's name to Eatonsville in 1807. The motion failed. In 1851, the village had 79 lots with a total value of $5,048.
, Union troops under Gen. George Stoneman
moved toward the Shallow Ford. About dawn on April 11, 1865, Stoneman's men met up with Confederate Home Guard. The guard, taken by surprise, put up some resistance, then fled, reportedly leaving behind a hundred new muskets. The militia had set up breastworks trenches along the west side of the river. However, the Union troops had crossed north of the site.
Stoneman's men looted and burned much of the village, including the Red Store, before heading south toward Mocksville
and Salisbury
.
Today, the area is primarily rural with a few historic homes surviving. However, it has experienced growth recently because of its proximity to Winston-Salem
.
Yadkin County, North Carolina
- Cities and towns :*Boonville*East Bend*Jonesville*Yadkinville-Towns of the past:These towns were incorporated at one time:*Arlington, merged with Jonesville in 2001.*Hamptonville, chartered in 1818.*Huntsville, incorporated in 1792....
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, USA. The community was formerly chartered in 1792 by Charles Hunt of Salisbury, NC and was chartered again in 1822 .
History
European settlers were drawn to the area as early as the 1740s because of the Shallow Ford, a natural gravel roadway under the Yadkin RiverYadkin River
The Yadkin River is one of the longest rivers in North Carolina, flowing . It rises in the northwestern portion of the state near the Blue Ridge Parkway's Thunder Hill Overlook. Several parts of the river are impounded by dams for water, power, and flood control. The river becomes the Pee Dee...
. The Shallow Ford, which became part of the Great Wagon Road
Great Wagon Road
The Great Wagon Road was a colonial American improved trail transiting the Great Appalachian Valley from Pennsylvania to North Carolina, and from there to Georgia....
, was the only place in the vicinity that was shallow enough for heavy wagons to cross.
When a road was extended from the Moravian settlement of Bethabara to the Shallow Ford in 1753, the village just west of the river became a frequent stop on the stagecoach trail. From the crossing, settlers could continue to Salisbury
Salisbury, North Carolina
Salisbury is a city in Rowan County in North Carolina, a state of the United States of America. The population was 33,663 in the 2010 Census . It is the county seat of Rowan County...
and Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
then on as far south as Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. In 1770, the Shallow Ford became part of the western expansion as well, when the Mulberry Fields Road, and what later became known as the Daniel Boone Trail
Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone was an American pioneer, explorer, and frontiersman whose frontier exploits mad']'e him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. Boone is most famous for his exploration and settlement of what is now the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which was then beyond the western borders of...
to Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, opened.
The area was first known as the Bryan Settlement after Morgan Bryan, a Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
Quaker who settled in the frontier three miles (5 km) downstream of the Shallow Ford in 1748. Edward Hughes – who may have been the first settler in the region, arriving as early as 1747 – established a tavern and inn in the area.
Revolutionary War activity
The Battle of Shallow Ford was fought on October 14, 1780, between 400 ToriesLoyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
and 300 Patriots
Patriot (American Revolution)
Patriots is a name often used to describe the colonists of the British Thirteen United Colonies who rebelled against British control during the American Revolution. It was their leading figures who, in July 1776, declared the United States of America an independent nation...
from North Carolina and Virginia. The company of Tories was trying to travel to Charlotte to join General Cornwallis.
Patriot Col. Joseph Williams, who lived nearby, called together his men and set up an ambush at the ford. As the Tories, led by Colonel Gideon Wright and his brother Captain Hezikiah Wright, prepared to cross the river, they were ambushed. The conflict was short, hard and decisive. The Tories, badly beaten, fled and scattered.
Fifteen casualties were reported, fourteen Tories and one Patriot, Henry Francis, a captain in the Virginia militia. A tombstone at the Battle Branch, the site of the skirmish, honors Francis. The Big Poplar Tree, a landmark at the site, is believed to have been shot out during the battle.
The battle shares its name with a play written by Ed Simpson, a native of nearby Lewisville
Lewisville, North Carolina
Lewisville is a village in Forsyth County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 12,639 at the 2010 census. It is a Piedmont Triad community.-Geography:Lewisville is located at ....
.
On February 7, 1781, General Cornwallis, in pursuit of American General Nathanael Greene
Nathanael Greene
Nathanael Greene was a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. When the war began, Greene was a militia private, the lowest rank possible; he emerged from the war with a reputation as George Washington's most gifted and dependable officer. Many places in the United...
, led his troops across the Yadkin River at the Shallow Ford.
Establishment of town
In 1792, Charles Hunt purchased 250 acres (1 km²) and began to lay out 111½ acre lots for the town. A post office was established in the town in 1795. Several stores also were established, including the Red Store, which was operated by Jacob Clingman, father of Brigadier General Thomas Lanier ClingmanThomas Lanier Clingman
Thomas Lanier Clingman , known as the "Prince of Politicians," was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1843 to 1845 and from 1847 to 1858, and U.S. senator from the state of North Carolina between 1858 and 1861...
, who was born near Huntsville.
The Rev. Peter Eaton, who represented the area in the North Carolina Senate, petitioned to change the town's name to Eatonsville in 1807. The motion failed. In 1851, the village had 79 lots with a total value of $5,048.
Civil War skirmish
In the final days of the Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Union troops under Gen. George Stoneman
George Stoneman
George Stoneman, Jr. was a career United States Army officer, a Union cavalry general in the American Civil War, and the 15th Governor of California between 1883 and 1887.-Early life:...
moved toward the Shallow Ford. About dawn on April 11, 1865, Stoneman's men met up with Confederate Home Guard. The guard, taken by surprise, put up some resistance, then fled, reportedly leaving behind a hundred new muskets. The militia had set up breastworks trenches along the west side of the river. However, the Union troops had crossed north of the site.
Stoneman's men looted and burned much of the village, including the Red Store, before heading south toward Mocksville
Mocksville, North Carolina
Mocksville is a town in Davie County, North Carolina, USA. The population was 4,178 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Davie County.-Geography:Mocksville is located at ....
and Salisbury
Salisbury, North Carolina
Salisbury is a city in Rowan County in North Carolina, a state of the United States of America. The population was 33,663 in the 2010 Census . It is the county seat of Rowan County...
.
Later years
In the 20th century, the Shallow Ford became less important as newer highways bypassed the community, and it began a slow decline. In 1920, a bridge was built north of the Shallow Ford, which ended the use of the ford.Today, the area is primarily rural with a few historic homes surviving. However, it has experienced growth recently because of its proximity to Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina, with a 2010 population of 229,617. Winston-Salem is the county seat and largest city of Forsyth County and the fourth-largest city in the state. Winston-Salem is the second largest municipality in the Piedmont Triad region and is home to...
.
Notable people
- Thomas Lanier ClingmanThomas Lanier ClingmanThomas Lanier Clingman , known as the "Prince of Politicians," was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1843 to 1845 and from 1847 to 1858, and U.S. senator from the state of North Carolina between 1858 and 1861...
, North Carolina Congressman, United States Senator and General of the Confederate States ArmyConfederate States ArmyThe Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
was born here. - Richard Irving DodgeRichard Irving DodgeRichard Irving Dodge was a colonel in the United States Army.Dodge was born in North Carolina and died after a long and successful career in the U.S. Army. He began as a cadet in 1844 and retired as a Colonel May 19, 1891....
, United States ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
officer and author. - Rev. Peter Eaton, a Baptist minister and merchant. He was elected to the North Carolina Senate in 1804.
- Richard Clauselle PuryearRichard Clauselle PuryearRichard Clauselle Puryear was a U.S. Congressman from North Carolina between the years of 1853 and 1857.Puryear, born in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, moved to Surry County, North Carolina as a child...
, a U.S. congressman 1853–1857.