UP AND DOWN THE "LITTLE TENNESSEE" RIVER
              IN MONROE COUNTY, TENNESSEE

FORT LOUDON is said in History to have been the first (1756-57) 
settlement of white English speaking people west of the mountains.
One Henry TIMBERLAKE explored the Cherokee settlements in this area 
some ten years later in March of 1769 and made quite an extensive survey 
of the villages, and among other things reported the erection of a
"Fort" or station "Built by Virginians 1756 and soon destroyed by
the Indians" on the West side of the Little Tennessee across the 
river from the Cherokee town of "Chote" or white man's name "Chota" 
located on the east side. No other record(s) have been found by
this writer of this "1756 Virginian Fort". Although he did show that
FORT LOUDON, was located on the East side, about a mile up the 
"Little Tennessee River" from the junction of the Indian "Telliqua" or 
white man's name of "Telleco River".

In his report of his explorations, Mr. TIMBERLAKE executed a map of
the territory, which through old-time illustrated and drawn gives
a fair idea of the early Cherokee settlements up and down the Little
Tennessee River in what is present day Monroe County, Tennessee.

             "A DROUGHT OF THE CHEROKEE COUNTRY"
        On the west side of the Twenty four Mountains
        Commonly called "Over the Hills."
            Taken by Henry Timberlake when
        he was in that Country in March 1769
            Likewise the
        names of the principle or Head Men of each
        Town and what number of Fighting Men they
        send to war.
        by Barcley McGhee
        Knoxville, Tenn.

The South end of Mr. TIMBERLAKE map starts at the junction of the 
LITTLE TENNESSEE and TELLICO rivers, (spelled "Telliqua" Cherokee version, 
a characteristic of all other names he used), showing the village 
"MIALOQUO" or "Great Island" with 24 fighting warriors, under the
command of Gov. of ATTAKULKALA.

Then up the river about a mile to FORT LOUDON, on the  east side
of the Little Tennessee River. 

Next is the village of "TUSKEGEE", or Toskegee with 55 warriors,
under command of Chief ATTAKULKALA.

Next to that is the village of "TOMMOLTEY" with 91 warriors, under
command of "Offenaco Com In. WILLINWAW Gov.

Just over the branch of "Ball Play Creek" is the village of "TOQUA"
with 82 warriors, under command of Chief WILLINWAW.

The next village north is "TANNESSEE" with 21 warriors, under government
of King and Governor KANAGATUCKCO.

Then the Cherokee Nation [1st] capital of "CHOTE" or "Chota" with 175 
warriors under command of King and Governor KANAGATUCKCO. [This village
was also called "City of Refuge" which due to the religious custom of the
Cherokees, offered a heaven of refuge to any man, who sought safety from
his enemies or from the law, so long as he conformed to the rules of
the tribal authorities. prs]

Below "Citico Creek" was the village of "SETTACOO" with 204 warriors
under command of Governor CHEULAN. 

About a mile above "Citico Creek" was a small village called "HALFWAY
TOWN" with no fighting warriors.

About 2 miles above "Halfway Town" was the village of "CHILHOWEE" 
(on right, opposite "Abrahams Creek") with 110 warriors, under the 
command of Governor VACHTINA.

At the top of the map over the mountains was the village of "TALLASSEE"
with 47 warriors under the command of Governor DEAD.

Total 809 Fighting men.

The compiler of these notes Barkley McGhee, claims the right to offer
words of criticism of the so-called "Timberlake Map" showing the territory
where he first saw the light of day and made his advent into a beautiful
world in one of the most beautiful spots in this great universe.

Having as a boy fished on the banks of the "TELLIQUA" and forded the
Tennessee River at "MOTLEY FORD"  and fallen into the river and having
been rescued by a young Cherokee mother at "CHOTA" he has a much better
conception of the entire locality by actual occupancy, than the intrepid
explorer HENRY TIMBERLAKE could possibly have obtained on a fleeting
visit in 1769.
 
The modern photograph of the winding LITTLE TENNESSEE RIVER, appended
to the map, however, right worthily portrays an accurate picture of
the locality.

This writer is indebted to Miss Mamye Sue McGHEE, a worthy descendent
of Barkley McGHEE, and who may have drawn or copied it, for the
privilege of reproducing same in this work.
Worth S. Ray
Austin, TX.
1950, pg354
 
Barkley McGHEE, b. 27 Aug. 1759; Mcklenburge, North Carolina; 
d. 17 Aug. 1819, at the age of 59 years, 11 months, and 20 days; 
Buried in the "New Providence, Old Churchyard" at Maryville, Blount Co.,
TN. He married Miss Jane McCLANAHAN; b. 17 May 1767; PA. d. 08 Sep. 1835,
at the age of 68 years 3 months and 21 days, she is buried along side her 
husband. She was the daughter of James McCLANAHAN. Some report she was a 
ALEXANDER? pg 332.

Col. Barkley McGHEE lived in Jefferson Co., TN. at the time his 
first son was born. It was part of Jefferson that was afterwards
included in Sevier Co., TN. in 1788. [pg336]

All the children are unknown of Barkley & Jane (McCLANAHAN) McGHEE,
but thoes who lived "to maturity", meaning, of course, that there
were others left unmentioned. [pg 337]

   1st Son: John McGHEE, b. c1788 m. Betsy Jones McCLUNG
   1st Dau: Polly McGHEE,         m. William LOWERY
   2nd Dau: Betsy McGHEE,         m. Thomas HENDERSON
   2nd Son: Dr. Alexander McGHEE, m. (1) Nancy EMERSON
                                  (2) Anna Dent LYLE
                                  (3) Anna B. McLIN
   3rd Son: Matthew W. McGHEE,    m. Unknown

 

My husband is a desendent of Richard Henry Timberlake via a child born to him and the daughter of Osteneco. However, Timberlake history says that he had no desendents, Emmitt Starr's History of the Cherokee's gives the above facts. This map was provided for us by Paul Sarrett Jr.

Richard Henry Timberlake's map of the Cherokee - Creek Country 1760-1781

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