Fort McGaughey
Fort McGaughey was named for Alexander McGaughey son of William and Margaret McGaughey who were the first of the McGaughey family to come to America from Ireland. The father William got his first land with a warrant hearing, the date 14 October 1738 settling in Lancaster County later York County, Pa. on lower Marsh Creek. |
William and Margaret McGaugheys' children were John, James, Isebella, William and Alexander who was a minor in 1749 where his father made his will. In 1770 Alexander was buying land in Rutherford County. Alexander married Rachel Thompson daughter of John and Martha Thompson in York County, Pa. The McGaughey family were members of the Lower Marsh Creek Presbyterian Church.
Fort McGaughey located originally next to Brittain Presbyterian Church was a protection to the early settlers from Indian attacks, this fort can be traced back to 1776 with documentation. Captain Samuel Martin of Lincoln County was the officer over Fort McGaughey. He first entered service as a private in Captain Robert Alexander's' Company in June 1776 in Colonel Grahams' Regiment, and marched to Fort McGaughey in Rutherford County then across the Blue Ridge Mountains against the Indians. Later he was appointed Captain stationed at Fort McGaughey with his soldiers and Reverend James Hall of Iredell County as Chaplain; also stationed at the same fort and he went with Captain Martin to attack the Indians. Captain Samuel Martin lived to be 104 years old, he died 26 November 1836. Rev. James Hall born in Carlisle, Pa. on 22 August 1744, conducted for a time a classical school, called Clio's Nursery. One of his students was Rev. Daniel Thacher first minister of Little Brittain Presbyterian Church. Rev. James Hall held a revival in 1802 where Pisgah United Methodist stands today and this church came into being from this camp meeting.
John Prestor Goforth was born in Fort McGaughey in 1779 the year Rutherford county was formed. He married Isabella Smart daughter of William and Jane Huddleston Smart. Twin sons of Samuel Andrews, Benjamin and James were also born in the fort. There is little known information that that the Overmountain men were ever connected to Fort McGaughey except for Thomas McCullough dying there.
Life for the early settlers of the Brittain Church area was a fighters life, as they were often attacked by Indians or Tories of that day but their faith in God and the church with their guns and powder keeping them safe. There are soldiers from every war buried in this historic cemetery; and somewhere buried in an unmarked grave lies the body of Alexander McGaughey who served Rutherford County as entry taker until his death in 1802. His brother William McGaughey built a fort in Tennessee.
The first members of Brittain Church Westminster Community Rutherford County formed in 1768 came from Little Brittain Presbyterian Church, Westminister Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania formed in 1737.
Brittain Presbyterian Church, today we are proud of your heritage and the people who have served the church and kept a place of worship.
Fort McGaughey located originally next to Brittain Presbyterian Church was a protection to the early settlers from Indian attacks, this fort can be traced back to 1776 with documentation. Captain Samuel Martin of Lincoln County was the officer over Fort McGaughey. He first entered service as a private in Captain Robert Alexander's' Company in June 1776 in Colonel Grahams' Regiment, and marched to Fort McGaughey in Rutherford County then across the Blue Ridge Mountains against the Indians. Later he was appointed Captain stationed at Fort McGaughey with his soldiers and Reverend James Hall of Iredell County as Chaplain; also stationed at the same fort and he went with Captain Martin to attack the Indians. Captain Samuel Martin lived to be 104 years old, he died 26 November 1836. Rev. James Hall born in Carlisle, Pa. on 22 August 1744, conducted for a time a classical school, called Clio's Nursery. One of his students was Rev. Daniel Thacher first minister of Little Brittain Presbyterian Church. Rev. James Hall held a revival in 1802 where Pisgah United Methodist stands today and this church came into being from this camp meeting.
John Prestor Goforth was born in Fort McGaughey in 1779 the year Rutherford county was formed. He married Isabella Smart daughter of William and Jane Huddleston Smart. Twin sons of Samuel Andrews, Benjamin and James were also born in the fort. There is little known information that that the Overmountain men were ever connected to Fort McGaughey except for Thomas McCullough dying there.
Life for the early settlers of the Brittain Church area was a fighters life, as they were often attacked by Indians or Tories of that day but their faith in God and the church with their guns and powder keeping them safe. There are soldiers from every war buried in this historic cemetery; and somewhere buried in an unmarked grave lies the body of Alexander McGaughey who served Rutherford County as entry taker until his death in 1802. His brother William McGaughey built a fort in Tennessee.
The first members of Brittain Church Westminster Community Rutherford County formed in 1768 came from Little Brittain Presbyterian Church, Westminister Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania formed in 1737.
Brittain Presbyterian Church, today we are proud of your heritage and the people who have served the church and kept a place of worship.