The Revolutionary War broke out between the Americans and British in 1776. The majority of Americans desired independence from England. A great many Loyalists, however, wanted to remain part of the British Empire. The Tories wished to govern themselves and have no connection to the British. Economics played a role in regard to which side you backed. Many in the cities owned businesses that profited off being part of the British Empire. The people in rural areas were often self-sufficient and had no need for Britain. People often resented the high taxes England placed on the colonies to support the British military in order to maintain their ever-expanding empire.

Great Britain often encouraged the Native Americans to wage war against the settlers who moved near Cherokee territory. It seemed like a winning plan for the British. It saved them money. It reduced the risk to British soldiers’ lives. Every Cherokee that died made the Cherokee less of a threat to Great Britain. And the British thought that attacked settlers would want the British Army to remain to provide protection for them. This British strategy had local effects.

The Pacolet River runs at the foot of the mountain between Henderson County and the present town of Tryon. The Hannon family lived on a small farm on the north fork of the Pacolet River in 1776. People had to make their living growing crops to eat and feed their animals. However, the mother became sick and died a few months after the birth of her ninth child.

It was planting season for corn, as the dogwood blooms indicated. The Hannon family was lucky enough to have an ox, which was stronger than a horse and enabled them to plant more ground. The widowed husband and five oldest children were out plowing the field and planting seeds. The four youngest children were left alone at the house. Winnie, a 7-year-old girl, looked after the baby. Edwin, a 10-year boy, kept the fire going. It burned no matter the season, as it was where they prepared their meals.

The father and five kids had been making good progress planting seeds. So, they took a break to refill a gourd with water from a nearby creek. While they were drinking, they heard crows cawing all around them. One of the boys remarked that it was strange that they had been hearing crows all morning, as they had not seen any flying over them.

The father remarked that when he first came to this area, such an occurrence meant that Native Americas were hiding nearby. It meant it was time to grab your guns and prepare for an attack. He could see fear in one of his daughter’s eyes, but he told the kids that was a long time ago. It had been nearly 10 years since there had been any trouble with the Cherokee.

They went back to the middle of the field and began working. The crows started cawing again on all sides of the field. One of the girls got scared, but one of her older brothers told her to stop worrying. “You know good and well,” he said, “ain’t no [natives] going to be messing around here what with Captain Rogers and his Rangers down at the Block House.”

Suddenly, the air was filled with the war whoop of the Cherokee. They dashed from the woods, covered with war paint. The Hannon family stood in the middle of the field in shock and fear. The father yelled, “Run! For God’s sake! Run!” Then an arrow entered his back and passed through his body. The head of the arrow protruded from his stomach as he fell dead onto the freshly plowed ground.

The five children ran in terror, but it was too late. Each was caught and killed. The Cherokee ran after the ox and killed it with their tomahawks. They stripped the ox’s hide off with their knifes. Each warrior cut a hunk of meat from the ox for a meal.

Edwin and Winnie, back at the cabin, heard the war whoops. They went to see what was going on and were horrified by what they saw. John, a 3-year-old boy, started running toward the field. He thought his father and brothers and sisters were playing a new game.

Edwin ran and grabbed John, and Winnie ran back toward the cabin. One of the Indians spotted Edwin carrying his baby brother. The Cherokee gave a whoop and took out after Edwin. He was forced to drop his baby brother as they gained on him. His brother was killed, but Edwin made it to a hiding place under the riverbank.

Winnie grabbed the baby from its cradle and ran out the back door up the hill to the cane brake behind the cabin. It was as place she knew from playing hide and seek with her brothers and sisters. The Cherokee ransacked the cabin and set it on fire.

Several hours later, Edwin got the courage to crawl from his hiding place under the riverbank. He went to the cane break and softly called his sister’s name. Winnie came out holding the baby. Edwin knew that if they followed the river downstream, they would eventually run into a settler’s cabin.

They headed downstream, taking turns carrying the baby. They came to the home of Colonel John Earle, not far from the town of Landrum, SC, near the North Carolina state line. Earle later adopted the three children.

Bruce Whitaker documents Fairview-area genealogy. To get in touch with him, contact the Crier at [email protected] or 828-771-6983 (call/text).