The Overmountain Men came from regions west of the colonies across the Appalachian Mountains. These regions were concentrated along what is now the modern Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia borders. Settlement began in the early 1760's and continued into the 1770's despite the Proclamation of 1763 that prohibited British colonist from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. The majority of these settlers were Scots-Irish immigrants that had little regard for British crown and authority. This resulted in tens of thousands of Scots-Irish settling the river valleys of western Appalachia. these settlements consisted of small families and communities who lived in log cabins. Frontier life was harsh and consisted of small farming operations in order to provide food families and communities. (1)
Initially these settlements did not identify with the British colonies or the American Revolution because they lived outside of any formidable government regulation. This lack of government prompted the formation of the Watauga Association in 1772. This Association established a land lease with the Cherokee Indians in order to keep their lands protected from any Cherokee invasion. By this act the Watauga Association was the first independent government established outside of the British Colonies west of the Appalachian Mountains. By 1775 the Watauga purchased their lands from the Cherokee and formed the Washington District. Once this district was formed they filed for annexation through the state of Virginia, however, this initial request was denied. In 1776 the Washington District once again applied for annexation, this time through North Carolina. Thier petition was received and the Washington District was annexed into North Carolina territory.(2)
Initially these settlements did not identify with the British colonies or the American Revolution because they lived outside of any formidable government regulation. This lack of government prompted the formation of the Watauga Association in 1772. This Association established a land lease with the Cherokee Indians in order to keep their lands protected from any Cherokee invasion. By this act the Watauga Association was the first independent government established outside of the British Colonies west of the Appalachian Mountains. By 1775 the Watauga purchased their lands from the Cherokee and formed the Washington District. Once this district was formed they filed for annexation through the state of Virginia, however, this initial request was denied. In 1776 the Washington District once again applied for annexation, this time through North Carolina. Thier petition was received and the Washington District was annexed into North Carolina territory.(2)
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1.Allen, Thomas B. "THE OVERMOUNTAIN MEN." Military History
2.Allen, Thomas B. "THE OVERMOUNTAIN MEN." Military History
2.Allen, Thomas B. "THE OVERMOUNTAIN MEN." Military History