Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-08-20
"KINe's MOUNTAIN MESSENGER"
Interesting Story of Joseph Greer,
Soldier of the American Revolution.

Soioler or the american hevoiutioh.
One Of the most interesting spots in
middle Tennessee, on account Of its
association with the pioneer history
of the state, Is the old Greer home
stead in Lincoln county, near the town
Of Petersburg. The house stands in
the midst of a fertile farming section
which formed part Of the original
grant of $500 acres awarded to Joseph
Greer, for distinguished service in the
American Revolution, and in this house
where he lived and died, many inter-
esting relics Of the Kings Mountain
Messenger" are now carefully preserv-
ed.
When Joseph Green enlisted in the
American army he was a mere youth
in years, but was Of unusual size and
strength, being seven feet tall and cor
respondingly proportioned. He made
gallant soldier and after the vic
torious battle at Kings Mountain, was
chosen to carry the important news to
General Washington and the conti-
mental congress then in session at
Philadelphia To make this journey,
Greer had to cross the states Of North
Carolina, Virginia, Maryland. Della
ware and a part Of Pennsylvania, but
the young messenger was stout Of
heart as we'll as Of body and started
cheerfully on his way armed with his
musket and brass compass to guide
his steps. Greer's experience as a
surveyor and his knowledge Of the In
dams in that part of the country en-
abled him to thread his way carefully
through rough and perilous paths and
to reach his journeys end in safety.
On arriving at Philadelphia he at
headquarters and, brushing past the
astonished doorkeeper without any ex-
PLANTATION, strode into the midst Of the
assembled congress and delivered his
message. The news Of the signal VIC
tory at Kings Mountain put fresh
hope and courage into the hearts Of
the Americans. and from this time on,
Washington's forces pushed forward
with renewed zeal until the British
were finally overcome.
It Is told that Greers unusual size
created much comment among the
people Of Philadelphia, and some were
heard to exclaim: mo wonder the
Americans were victorious If this man
Is a sample Of their soldiers"
Greers former occupation as a sur
veyor evidently enabled him to form
some idea Of the future possibilities in
the rich, uncultivated lands in middle
Tennessee and he decided to lay off
his claim in that section which now
forms a part Of Lincoln county. He
built his first home about two and q
half miles from the present site Of
Petersburg, and this rough cabin,
erected in 1904, is still in a good state
of preservation, and is occupied by
negro tenants at the present time
Many travellers stop to inspect the his
toric house.
Ill lolV, ITeer Dulll larger anu
better house Of five rooms. and here
he and his wife raised their large fam
lily Of eleven children. five girls and
six boys. 1t was in this house that
Greer died in 1881. To build house
in those early days was no easy task
when every particle Of the work was
done by hand, and it took the best
carpenter in that part Of the country
an entire year to complete Joseph
Greers house. The hand-hewn logs
for this dwelling and the fiOorings,
fashioned with an old style hoop saw,
represented many hours Of toll and the
conscientious carpenter received
good farm in payment for his work.
A part Of this old house is still in use
and forms the rear end Of the Greer
homestead, which has been consider
ably enlarged and improved.-Mrs. NJ.
HI Stone in Pennsylvania Grit.