Title: Joseph McDowell Deposition

Date/Date Range :   1789 March 4

Extent: 0.1 linear feet

Abstract:

In a deposition in Burke County, NC, court, dated March 4, 1789, Joseph McDowell testifies that James Cook told him that "David Nelson had taken a gun from him then said took an otter skin shot pouch in the year of 1780." While Cook has attempted to get payment from Nelson, Nelson will not pay. The testimony notes that this took place "shortly before the action at King's Mountain."

Call number: MS-2416

Repository: University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN

Aquisition Information:

This collection was purchased by Special Collections in July 2000.

Access Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Copyright:

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of Item], Joseph McDowell Deposition, MS-2416. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

Collection consists of a single folder.

Born February 15, 1756 in Winchester, VA, Joseph McDowell spent his youth at Quaker Meadows in Burke County, NC. After the outbreak of the Revolution, he was attached to Charles McDowell's militia regiment and accompanied his brother on the Rutherford expedition against the Cherokees in 1776. During the absence of his brother, who was on a mission to General Gates, Joseph commanded the McDowell regiment in the Battle of King's Mountain (October 7, 1780). He was a member of the North Carolina House of Commons (1785-1788), the North Carolina Senate (1791-1795), and the North Carolina Conventions of 1788 and 1789 that met to consider ratification of the federal constitution. McDowell opposed ratification because the Constitution lacked a bill of rights. In 1797, he was elected to the fifth Congress as a Democratic-Republican, where he fought against the Alien and Sedition Acts. McDowell died on August 11, 1801.

In a deposition in Burke County, NC, court, dated March 4, 1789, Joseph McDowell testifies that James Cook told him that "David Nelson had taken a gun from him then said took an otter skin shot pouch in the year of 1780." While Cook has attempted to get payment from Nelson, Nelson will not pay. The testimony notes that this took place "shortly before the action at King's Mountain."

• McDowell, Joseph, 1756-1801.
• Court records -- North Carolina.
• Legal documents -- United States.