Samuel Wear

Samuel Wear (1753–April 3, 1817) was an American Revolutionary War soldier who fought at the Battle of Kings Mountain.

Wear's fort was erected to protect the early settlers in that vicinity from Indian attacks; but its location along the trail made it a popular target for small bands of Cherokee raiders.

The new treaty extended the area for white settlement almost as far south as the Little Tennessee River, along which the main "Overhill Cherokee" towns were located.

[4] After the conclusion of hostilities with Great Britain, however, continuing encroachment into lands the Cherokee believed to be theirs—by treaty with the Federal government—caused escalating violence in the area, especially south of the French Broad River.

[2] At the time, he was commander of the Sevier County militia, then operating under the Territory South of the River Ohio's territorial-governor, William Blount.

"[3][7] Wear commanded the 1st Regiment, East Tennessee Volunteer Militia, from September through December 1813, under General James White.

A monument dedicated to Wear reads: "Pioneer, Soldier of four Wars; Colonial, Revolution, Indian,1812; One of the Heroes of Kings Mountain, and a Founder of the State of Franklin.