Moses Cavitt

Moses Cavitt's Biography

Captain Moses Cavitt* from Sullivan Co., NC (now TN) was one of the “Over-The-Mountain-Men” comprised of frontiersmen who lived west of the Appalachian Mountains.  Cavitt traveled from what is now Sullivan Co., TN south to Sycamore Shoals, TN, and proceeded to Kings Mountain under the leadership of Colonel Isaac Shelby.  Kings Mountain is near Blacksburg, SC, along the NC/SC border.

On 7 Oct 1780, the Patriots defeated British Major Patrick Ferguson’s troops even though the British troops far outnumbered the Patriot forces.                                                                        [1]

The defeat of the British at Kings Mountain was the first major patriot victory to occur since the British invasion of Charleston, SC (Mar-May 1780).  Although the battle lasted only about one hour, it was a morale booster and turned the tide for the patriots.  Service source: NC Rev War Pay Vouchers, #2135, #3027, #3077, Roll #S. 115.75; Pension of Thomas White, *31474.

In 1789, Moses Cavitt built the Pactolus Ironworks on the South Holston River near present day Spring Road in Kingston, Sullivan Co., TN.  Moses sold it in 1795 to John Sevier (Governor of Tennessee from 1796 to 1801 and 1803 to 1809) and others.

Moses and Agnes’ children included: Rebecca b. c. 1764, m. John Holloway; Richard b. 1765, m. Ruth Milsap; and Susanna b. 1770, m. William Shoemaker. Richard (A023506) also served during the war. The will of Moses Cavitt also included children Thomas and John who were not recorded in the court case mentioned above.[2]^, [3]

Agnes was born circa 1745 at Goochland Co., VA and died in Knox Co., TN after 1814.  Moses and Agnes are buried in Mars Hill Cemetery, Knoxville, Knox Co., TN.

[1] Photo from Kings Mountain Military Park SC, taken by S.G.G. Dubs.

[2] Cavitt vs. Hutchinson, Tennessee Superior Court, Hamilton District, 1807.

[3] Will of Moses Cavitt, Knox County Courthouse, Knoxville, TN, Guardian Book 1792-1821, Vol. O, 1802.