Kingsport Spirit

Today, the 250th anniversary of Daniel Boone’s Wilderness Trail was celebrated at Netherland Inn in Kingsport.

Sycamore Shoals, in present-day Elizabethton, was the site of the 1775 Transylvania Purchase, where Daniel Boone was hired to blaze a trail through the Cumberland Gap into Kentucky. While this marked the legal and ceremonial beginning of the Wilderness Trail, the physical journey began near Kingsport on the Holston River at the Boat Yard, considered the head of navigation of the Tennessee Valley. There, settlers gathered supplies and launched westward.

Daniel Boone’s Wilderness Trail played a pivotal role in westward expansion during the late 18th century. This path through the Appalachian Mountains became a gateway for settlers seeking new opportunities on the western frontier, with Kingsport, Tennessee, emerging as a crucial crossroads for migration into Kentucky and beyond.

Creation of the Wilderness Trail

In 1775, Daniel Boone, a renowned frontiersman, was hired by the Transylvania Company to carve a route through the Cumberland Gap into what is now Kentucky. The area, part of Virginia and Carolina colonies at the time, had no formal boundary lines, which later led to disputes over land. Boone’s journey was fraught with challenges, including resistance from Native American tribes, but his trail through the gap would become the most significant route into the western frontier.

Boone’s Journey and Kingsport’s Role

Boone’s team of axmen blazed a trail from the Holston River near present-day Kingsport through the rugged Appalachian terrain and into Kentucky. Kingsport, located along the Holston River, became a vital stop for settlers preparing for their journey westward. It served as a hub for stocking supplies, livestock, and provisions before settlers ventured further into the wilderness.

Significance and Legacy

The Wilderness Trail opened up Kentucky and Tennessee for settlement, shaping the cultural and economic landscapes of both states. It was a primary route not only into Kentucky but also into Middle Tennessee

Just four years later, in 1779, two groups set out from Kingsport to settle Middle Tennessee. James Robertson led an overland party along the Wilderness Trail through Cumberland Gap to the Cumberland River, while John Donelson (Andrew Jackson’s father-in-law) launched a flotilla downriver. Battling harsh winter conditions and dangers along the way, both groups eventually reunited at French Lick, the site of present-day Nashville, in the spring of 1780. Their journey marked the beginning of permanent settlement in Middle Tennessee, with Kingsport serving as a key departure point.

By the late 18th century, tens of thousands had passed through Kingsport, expanding American settlement into the frontier and contributing to Kentucky’s statehood in 1792 and Tennessee’s in 1796.

Famous Families on the Trail

Numerous prominent families traveled along the Wilderness Trail. All you need to do is look at the prominent street names of downtown Louisville or the names of cities, counties, or schools across Kentucky and Tennessee:

The Boone Family: Daniel Boone, one of the most famous frontiersmen, led several expeditions through the Wilderness Trail, helping to establish key settlements like Boonesborough. His efforts opened the western frontier for settlers seeking new opportunities.

The Lincoln Family: Thomas Lincoln, father of Abraham Lincoln, settled in Kentucky after traveling the Wilderness Trail. His experience on the frontier influenced the future president’s values of perseverance and resilience.

The Crockett Family: Davy Crockett’s ancestors were among the settlers in Tennessee. Davy’s own journey through the trail solidified his role as a frontier hero and politician, contributing to Tennessee’s identity and hero of The Alamo.

The Jackson Family: Andrew Jackson, who would become the seventh president of the United States, passed through the Cumberland Gap on his journey westward. His experiences in Tennessee helped shape his future political career.

The Clay Family: Henry Clay, a skilled statesman, and Cassius Clay, an abolitionist, both played influential roles in Kentucky’s history. Their political and social contributions had lasting impacts on both Kentucky and the nation. Muhammad Ali, originally Cassius Clay, was named for the famous abolitionist.

The Shelby Family: Isaac Shelby, the first governor of Kentucky and a Revolutionary War hero, played a significant role in Kentucky’s statehood. The Shelby family helped shape both Tennessee and Kentucky, with cities like Shelbyville and counties named in their honor. Bristol was the site of Shelby’s Fort.

The Preston Family: The Prestons established Fort Preston, modern site of Virginia Tech, and Preston’s Station (near Lexington) before building the historic Oxmoor estate in Lousville, now recognized as one of the state’s premier retail centers.

The Campbell Family: William Campbell, a military leader in the American Revolution, played a vital role in the early settlement of Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Counties and cities like Campbellsville in Kentucky are named after them.

The Floyd Family: John Floyd helped map and establish Kentucky’s early frontier settlements. His contributions to military defense and the state’s growth are integral to Kentucky’s development.

The Logan Family: Benjamin Logan was a Revolutionary War veteran who led efforts to settle Kentucky and defend it from Native American attacks, significantly shaping the state’s early governance.

The McAfee Brothers: The McAfee brothers helped establish McAfee Station near modern Harrodsburg as one of Kentucky’s earliest defensive settlements, contributing to the safety and growth of the region.

The Callaway Family: Flanders Callaway, who married Daniel Boone’s daughter, helped solidify the Boone family’s influence in Kentucky. His military contributions aided the expansion and defense of early settlements.

The Kenton Family: Simon Kenton, a frontier hero and companion of Boone, played a key role in the settlement and defense of Kentucky. His leadership and survival skills made him a revered figure in American frontier history.

The Boat Yard: Kingsport’s Historic Launch Point

Yes, all these families passed through the “Boat Yard” in Kingsport, a critical migration and trade hub along the Holston River. Early settlers used the location to build flatboats and prepare for their journey downriver or over land through Cumberland Gap. The Boat Yard’s strategic significance during the American Revolution as a staging ground for frontier militias further cemented its role in the westward movement.

Conclusion

The Wilderness Trail, with Kingsport as a key stop, was instrumental in shaping the early history of Tennessee and Kentucky. The migration along this path spurred the development of new communities, leading to Kentucky’s statehood and the expansion of settlement into Middle Tennessee. Today, the legacy of the Wilderness Trail and its influential families continues to be honored through historical sites and preserved portions of the trail, which remind us of the resilience and determination of the early pioneers.

If you’ve wondered why Kingsport’s summer collegiate baseball team is nicknamed the Axmen, now you know.