Capt. David D. McNair - Fort St. Marys

Captain David D. McNair

(1774 – 1836)

Captain McNair was a 39 year old company commander in Col. Barbee’s Kentucky Regiment stationed at St. Marys, Oh. He was born in 1774 in an area of Tennessee known as the Cherokee Nation. He was of Scottish descent born to James and Martha Price McNair. Before the war, David had married Delilah Vann, a Cherokee woman from a prominent and wealthy Indian family. I havent’ been able to locate McNairs civilian occupation in census records and perhaps it’s because he and his wife ivied in the Cherokee Nation and perhaps census takers didn’t record their information despite the fact that David was not an Indian.

Cherokee Nation Tennessee

David and Delilah would eventually raise 6 children, 3 sons and 3 daughters. When McNair was called to duty, living at home with their mother were, 10 year old Mary, 5 year old James and 9 year old Nicholas. Delilah was 8 months pregnant with their daughter Martha. Clement and Elizabeth were born after 1814.

Mystery to solve: Records show that later in the war, Captain McNair commanded a company of Cherokee Indians and took part in the campaign at Horeshoe Bend in 1814. The mystery is, "was McNair's company at Camp Ellen made up of Cherokee Indians?"

Baby it’s cold outside

The weather the first week of December 1812, was an exceptionally brutal one and as a result, a major portion of the St. Marys River was frozen shut. Boats loaded with supplies bound for Ft. Wayne had left Ft. Barbee at St. Marys and gone about forty miles (see note) before they had to stop. The men escorting the boats worked in icy water up to their waists and at times risked their lives to free the most of the boats. They were able to advance another twenty miles to Shane’s Crossing where they were forced to stop again because of the ice. Finally, the decision was made to set up a temporary camp, unload the materials and store them until the river opened. The officer in charge was Capt. David D. McNair. McNair and a group of men from Ft. Barbee marched to the site and immediately began building sheds and storage buildings. When they’d finished, McNair named the temporary encampment Camp Ellen. Who “Ellen” was remains a mysery.
NOTE: 40 miles by water puts the location approx. ½ mile east of St. Rt. 27 or very near the site of Wayne’s old Fort Adams (August 1794)

Receiving word that the boats and the supplies were basically frozen in Quartermaster Bodley wrote General Harrison on Dec. 11, 1812 informing him of the seriousness of the situation. The letter reads in part:

Dear General

A few days ago our prospects here was truly flattering, every one appeared in high spirits and much gratified at the appearance of sending on provisions by water but the scene is sadly changed. Our most sanguine hopes are blasted and the chance of forwarding supplies to the advanced parts of the army is gloomy indeed.

On the 4th Inst we started from this place large boat and 16 perogues loaded with flour &c. The water was in fine order and we took advantage of the first chance of sailing. No time was lost. On the two large boats sailed with fine flood, the whole freighted 398 Bbl.Flour, 32 Bbl. Whiskey, 72 Bbl. Salt, 20 kegs powder, 10 kegs lead, box Cannister shot, boxes clothing, 150 cannon ball 10 bushel oats and quantity of hospital stores (of which Dr.Taylor has the invoice) bars Iron, Bars steel and coils rope. In addition to these stores about 700 hogs have been sent to Fort Winchester last week and this, on foot, and quantity of flour, whisky, salt and clothing has been sent down the Auglize from Forts Amanda and Jennings in perogues and on rafts. Col. [Robert] Pogue took advantage of the rise of water and as he had not time to prepare perogues he fitted out two rafts and loaded them with whiskey and salt in tight barrels. I have not heard how they got on but am in hopes they will get down safe. In this situation we were all highly gratified with the result of our united exertions in getting off such quantities of supplies. Nothing that could be done was omitted, all concerned united their efforts in the common cause and no doubt was entertained of success until yesterday about noon when unfortunately messenger arrived with information that the last boats were stopped by the ice below this about 40 miles by water and about 12 by land that they had used every exertion but could proceed no further and in the evening an express arrived from the first boats that they had got to Shane's Crossing about 60 miles by water and 18 by land from this place where they were frozen up and no possibility of their getting on. You may judge of our surprise and mortification.

The first boats were commanded by Capt. Jordan of Col. [Joshua] Barbee's Regt. and Mr. McClosky Asst. Q. M. at this place went with them to take charge of the cargo &c. The Last were commanded by Mr. Allen both fleets had the best crews we could select. They were all volunteers and no set of men ever exerted themselves more than these have done on this occasion. Mr. McClosky is an experienced water-man, him and many of the crew were often in the water and sometimes risqued their lives. He got in here last night very much fatigued and almost exhausted. There was no alternative left but to make arrangements to secure the craft and property, which Col. Barbee has this morning taken every necessary step to effect.

Capt. Jordan's Company remain with the first boats Capt. McNair is sent to the last, with directions to build storehouses &. The roads are so extremely bad and the water have been so high as to render it impossible for waggons or horses to travel, not waggon has arrived at this place for two weeks and but few pack horses those returning from the advanced posts. The St. Mary's is so extremely crooked and so blocked up with Driftwood in many places where it is out of the bank and over flowed for miles. In short turns the slush-ice has collected and frozen solid so as to dam it up for miles. Consequently nothing but general thaw or hard rains can give us the benefit of the navigation of this stream. Of course some other means of transportation must be resorted to.

Permit me again to suggest the propriety of an establishment at Wapaghkennetta or of having the supplies sent to Fort Amanda [on the Auglaize] The Auglaise is much straighter has more water and will not freeze up so soon as the St. Mary's. Sleds and pack horses are now the only means of transportation. A number of active strong draft horses for sleds and some pack horses could be very usefully employed from Piqua to Fort Amanda. have engaged flats to be built at both crossings of Lorimie's and at this place. It is now freezing very hard and hope the roads may soon be travelled. will write to Col. [James] Morrison fully on these subjects.

Col. Pogue and this Regt. have erected the best fort on these waters, at Amanda, and in very little time. They deserve much praise. Your approbation and notice of their conduct would be extremely pleasing to them. I have wrote Genl. Winchester by express this morning and hasten to give you this without delay. Present me to my friends at Head Quarters and particularly those in your own family. should be glad to hear from you. have the honor to be yr. friend and

Hble. Servt.

Thos. Bodley Acting Q. Master N. W. Army

P. S. Some of the Paymasters will not receive the Indian goods and others wish to return what they have recd. will you be so good as to direct what is to be done with those not used.

T. B

Camp Ellen

Near Rockford, Ohio

On Saturday December 19th Capt. McNair, still at Camp Ellen near Shane’s Crossing wrote the following letter to Col. Pogue informing him that 20 barrels of flour were being shipped to his Ft. Amanda.

 Camp Ellen   19^th   December 1812

Col Pogue                                                                                          

Dear Sir, I have delivered to ­­­_____ Toby, twenty barrels of flour in good order for which his receipt has been taken.I hope it will arrive safe.  I wish you by the next waggons to send an order for the loading they now carry and for what they may be able to carry next time.  I have understood verbally that the provisions were to be carried to Ft. Amanda but of this I have not been officially notified.  But ­­_____ your order will be sufficient.  I am sir with due respect, your obedient servant        Capt. D. D. McNair

 

The Worst is Yet To Come

McNair was present at the Battle of the River Raisin near Detroit, on Jan. 22, 1813.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RKBiHeflwk Massacre at the River Raisin

After the War

After the war, David and Delilah settled on the Conasauga River in Southeast Tennessee and ran a very profitable trading post and portage business. Many travelers to the area mentioned the hospitality of the McNair’s in their journals as early as 1816. McNair died on August 15, 1836 in Charleston, Tennessee.

David D. McNair's Last Will and Testament

 Last Will and Testament

David McNair

I David McNair of the Cherokee Nation now Bradley County, State of Tennessee, knowing the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death, and being of a sound and disposing mind & memory do make this my last WW and Testament In manner and form following. (to wit)

I give and bequeath my soul to God who gave it, and I desire that my body be decently buried.

2nd. It is my desire that my funeral expenses shall be paid out of my Estate.

3rd. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Delila Amelia McNair, the following property which I received from her father’s estate, (to wit) Davy and his wife Minty and their children (to wit) George, Betsy. Davy, Lewis and Maria; also another negro woman named Phoebe, all Slaves for Life; also a certain claybank Horse presented to her by her Son In Law David Vann. Also the farm where I now live, together with the farming utensils & household kitchen furniture, beds and bedding of all sorts, excepting that part which may hereafter be provided for; during her natural life, Provided the said farm is held by reservation, under any Treaty heretofore made, or which may be made hereafter between the United States and the Cherokee Indians, if the same should not be held by reservation, but valued under the provisions of any treaty made or hereafter to be made, she shall be entitled to said valuation.

Also an equal divident of all my property after making the following bequests, in this my last Will and Testament. And whereas I have heretofore distributed part of my estate between my several children (to wit) my daughter Betsy, my Sons James V. McNair, Nicholas B. McNair, Mary V. Rogers & Martha Vann, and whereas I give and bequeath to my son Clement McNair over and above his divident certain property hereafter to be named In the ninth bequest of this my last Will and Testament, in order to make his share equal with the shares heretofore given to my other sons (to wit) James & Nicholas.

4th. I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Betsy’s use during her life time, with the reversion of the same at her death to her six oldest children (to wit) Amelia Bean, David Bean, Gustavus Beau, William Bean and Mira Neely Bean, an equal divident of my estate after the bequests heretofore made, or that may hereafter be made in my last Will and Testament.

5th. I give and bequeath to my son James Vann McNair, an equal divident of my estate after the bequeaths heretofore made, or that way hereafter be made in my last Will and Testament, in addition to the property be has heretofore received from me.

6th. I give and bequeath to my son Nicholas Byers McNair an equal divldent of my estate after the bequests heretofore made or that may hereafter me made in this my last Will and Testament in addition to the property he has heretofore received from me.

7th. I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Mary Vann Rogers an equal divident of my estate, after the bequests heretofore made or that may hereafter be made in this, my last Will and Testament, in addition to the property she has heretofore received from me.

8th. I give and bequeath to my beloved Martha Vann, an equal divident of my estate after the bequests heretofore made or that may hereafter be made in this last Will and Testament, in addition to the property she has heretofore received from me.

9th. I give and bequeath to my son Clement Vann McNair the following property (to wit) The Negro Slaves for life named Moses, Amy and Riley, also six cows and calves, and Stock Cattle to amount in all to twenty-six in number; also four or five horses.; also sheep and hogs, household furniture, all to be equal in value to what my sons James and Nicholas McNair have had heretofore. Also the farm upon which Revd. H.G. Clauder now lives, together with a sufficiency of farming tools to work said farm, and also an equal divident of my estate not heretofore bequested.

10th. It I. my will that my friends Samuel Mcconnel, together with my two sons James V. McNair and Nicholas B. McNair, be Executors of this my last will and Testament.

Signed, sealed and acknowledged to be my last Will and Testament, this 4th day of June 1836.

David McNair Seal

In presence of

Hamilton Bradford

David Cunningham

X (his mark)

On this the 5th day of July 1836, I David McNair having considered the foregoing last Will and Testament made by myself and dated 4th June 1836 and attested by Hamilton Bradford and David Cunningham do now make this Codicil to the same —and whereas In the 3rd Bequest of said Will I gave to my beloved wife Delila Amelia McNair the farm on which I now live, or the valuation of the same if valued under any Treaty now made or which may be made, and since the date of said Will said farm has been valued by the Agents of government under the late Treaty to upwards of $10,000 dollars, and the valuation made asertain and being desirous that an equal distribution should be made previous to my heirs emigrating to the West, it is therefore my will that each of my children sons and daughters named in the foregoing Will, shall have one thousand dollars of said valuation in addition to the bequests heretofore made to them and my wife Delila Amelia McNair, to have the residue of said valuation, also to have a good new wagon and six horse team together with the gearing of same, also a good carriage and harness, I also wish her to have a negro man named Mack in place of George as she owns his wife, and that George be put up in the division of the balance of the negroes, also to have the bequests heretofore made to her, except the six thousand dollars devised to my six children.

I also confirm the 4th bequest of the foregoing will to my daughter Betsy only that each of her children named in said bequest to have their proportion of the same as they come individually of lawful age, it is also my will that my said daughter Betsy shall have a negro girl slave for life now in her possession named Hager during the life of my said daughter Betsy with a revision at her death, together with her increase, to her children.

It is also my will that my Executors shall sell all the property not named in the foregoing will which cannot be divided or removed to Arkansas with advantage hereby confirming every part of the foregoing will, except the alterations made in this codicil. I also wish my two sons in law William Rogers and David Vann added as Executors to this my last Will and Testament.

Signed, sealed and acknowledged to be my last Will and Testament

on the day and date above David McNair Seal

In presence of

Lemuel Childers X (his mark)

Flemuel Childers

Cherokee Nation New Echota

Personally appeared Lemuel Childers and Flemuel Childers before John Ridge President of the Committee designated In the late Treaty between the linked States and the Cherokee Nation East of the Mississippi and after being duly sworn deposeth and saith—that they were requested by David McNair to witness the foregoing Will and Testament of him the said David McNair or the codicil to said will which confirms the said foregoing will on the day It bears date that he acknowledged it to be his last Will and Testament In their presents.

Flemuel Childers

Lemuel Childers X (his mark)

Sworn to and scribed to

before me this 4th day

of Sept. 1837

John Ridge Prest. Committee

Heartache – Trail of Tears

Beginning in 1831, the U.S. Army began enforcement of the Removal Act. Approximately 17,000 Cherokee, Deliah and her children, all mixed blood included, were rounded up and loaded onto boats that traveled the Tennessee, Ohio, Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers into Indian Territory. Many were held in prison camps awaiting their fate.

An estimated 4,000 (25%) died from hunger, exposure and disease. The journey became a cultural memory as the "trail where they cried" for the Cherokees and other removed tribes. Today it is widely remembered by the general public as the "Trail of Tears". The Oklahoma chapter of the Trail of Tears Association has begun the task of marking the graves of Trail survivors with bronze memorials.

Death on the Trail of Tears

Delilah never made it to Oklahoma. She was one of the 4,000 who died along the say. Her remains were brought back to Tennessee and buried beside her beloved husband in what is now a farm field.

Their graves are located just inside the TN line, where the Conagauga river bends again into Georgia, is a stone-walled grave, with a slab, on which is an epitaph which tells its own story of the Removal heartbreak. McNair was a white man, prominent in the Cherokee Nation, whose wife was a daughter of the chief, Vann, who welcomed the Moravian missionaries and gave his own house for their use. The date shows that he died while the Removal was in progress, possibly while waiting in the stockaide camp. The inscription, with details, is given from information kindly furnished by Mr D. K. Dunn of Conasauga, Tennessee, in a letter dated Aug 16, 1890;

"Sacred to the memory of David and Delilah A McNair, who departed this life, the former on the 15th of August, 1836, and the latter on the 30th of November, 1838. Their children, being members of the Cherokee Nation and having to go with their people to the West, do leave this monument, not only to show their regard for their parents, but to guard their sacred ashes against the unhallowed intrusion of the white man."

Meet the McNairs

McNairs daughter Martha (standing)

McNairs son Clement Vann McNair

1814 - 1875

David Vann - McNair's son-in-law

Final Resting Place

Graves of Captain David D. McNair and his beloved wife Delilah

The foundation of their house still exists and lies within feet of the enclosed gravesite of McNair and his wife Delilah. It is located approximately 200 feet into a field on the west side of Rt. 33, 1.9 miles south of the intersection of Rts. 33 and 313 in Old Fort, Tennessee.
GPS: N35°00'18.88”,W84°44'05.27