William McWhirter was a physician and farmer and he emigrated to Nashville with James Robertson in 1780 with his Overland Party. He was one of the signers of the Cumberland Compact.
In order to provide the basic framework of government, the Cumberland Compact was adopted May 30, 1780, at Nashborough. The Compact was essentially an agreement of association of the forts or stations in the area and was accepted as the articles of government. The document carries the signature of 256 males, only one of whom could not sign his name. The signers represented nearly the entire male population of the area at that time. And their signatures marked the beginning of government in the west. William McWhirter was one of these signers, and each signer was awarded 640 acres of land.
The Indian Raids became so frequent that William and several of his friends and family members went up into Logan Co., KY and lived until things settled down and they went back to Nashville. It is thought William's wife, Elizabeth, traveled to Nashville with John Donelson in a flat boat in his flotilla, however, she may have died in Mecklenburg, NC as I have found nothing on her since she and William sold some land there in 1780, just before they/he left for TN. After William's wife, Elizabeth Ferrier McWhirter, died, William married Mary Dorris, a widow.
It is not known exactly where William was born, he could have been born in Ireland or Scotland. He was buried in the old Craighead Cemetery which is the Historical area of Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee. The only known children of William and Elizabeth Ferrier McWhirter are George Marlin McWhirter and a daughter,(possibly named Elizabeth McWhirter), who married George Pirtle. It is thought William had a son, Moses and possibly other children but to my knowledge, that has not been proven.
It has not been proven exactly when William McWhirter was born, some descendants think 1702 while others think 1720.
In order to provide the basic framework of government, the Cumberland Compact was adopted May 30, 1780, at Nashborough. The Compact was essentially an agreement of association of the forts or stations in the area and was accepted as the articles of government. The document carries the signature of 256 males, only one of whom could not sign his name. The signers represented nearly the entire male population of the area at that time. And their signatures marked the beginning of government in the west. William McWhirter was one of these signers, and each signer was awarded 640 acres of land.
The Indian Raids became so frequent that William and several of his friends and family members went up into Logan Co., KY and lived until things settled down and they went back to Nashville. It is thought William's wife, Elizabeth, traveled to Nashville with John Donelson in a flat boat in his flotilla, however, she may have died in Mecklenburg, NC as I have found nothing on her since she and William sold some land there in 1780, just before they/he left for TN. After William's wife, Elizabeth Ferrier McWhirter, died, William married Mary Dorris, a widow.
It is not known exactly where William was born, he could have been born in Ireland or Scotland. He was buried in the old Craighead Cemetery which is the Historical area of Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee. The only known children of William and Elizabeth Ferrier McWhirter are George Marlin McWhirter and a daughter,(possibly named Elizabeth McWhirter), who married George Pirtle. It is thought William had a son, Moses and possibly other children but to my knowledge, that has not been proven.
It has not been proven exactly when William McWhirter was born, some descendants think 1702 while others think 1720.
William McWhirter was a physician and farmer and he emigrated to Nashville with James Robertson in 1780 with his Overland Party. He was one of the signers of the Cumberland Compact.
In order to provide the basic framework of government, the Cumberland Compact was adopted May 30, 1780, at Nashborough. The Compact was essentially an agreement of association of the forts or stations in the area and was accepted as the articles of government. The document carries the signature of 256 males, only one of whom could not sign his name. The signers represented nearly the entire male population of the area at that time. And their signatures marked the beginning of government in the west. William McWhirter was one of these signers, and each signer was awarded 640 acres of land.
The Indian Raids became so frequent that William and several of his friends and family members went up into Logan Co., KY and lived until things settled down and they went back to Nashville. It is thought William's wife, Elizabeth, traveled to Nashville with John Donelson in a flat boat in his flotilla, however, she may have died in Mecklenburg, NC as I have found nothing on her since she and William sold some land there in 1780, just before they/he left for TN. After William's wife, Elizabeth Ferrier McWhirter, died, William married Mary Dorris, a widow.
It is not known exactly where William was born, he could have been born in Ireland or Scotland. He was buried in the old Craighead Cemetery which is the Historical area of Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee. The only known children of William and Elizabeth Ferrier McWhirter are George Marlin McWhirter and a daughter,(possibly named Elizabeth McWhirter), who married George Pirtle. It is thought William had a son, Moses and possibly other children but to my knowledge, that has not been proven.
It has not been proven exactly when William McWhirter was born, some descendants think 1702 while others think 1720.
In order to provide the basic framework of government, the Cumberland Compact was adopted May 30, 1780, at Nashborough. The Compact was essentially an agreement of association of the forts or stations in the area and was accepted as the articles of government. The document carries the signature of 256 males, only one of whom could not sign his name. The signers represented nearly the entire male population of the area at that time. And their signatures marked the beginning of government in the west. William McWhirter was one of these signers, and each signer was awarded 640 acres of land.
The Indian Raids became so frequent that William and several of his friends and family members went up into Logan Co., KY and lived until things settled down and they went back to Nashville. It is thought William's wife, Elizabeth, traveled to Nashville with John Donelson in a flat boat in his flotilla, however, she may have died in Mecklenburg, NC as I have found nothing on her since she and William sold some land there in 1780, just before they/he left for TN. After William's wife, Elizabeth Ferrier McWhirter, died, William married Mary Dorris, a widow.
It is not known exactly where William was born, he could have been born in Ireland or Scotland. He was buried in the old Craighead Cemetery which is the Historical area of Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee. The only known children of William and Elizabeth Ferrier McWhirter are George Marlin McWhirter and a daughter,(possibly named Elizabeth McWhirter), who married George Pirtle. It is thought William had a son, Moses and possibly other children but to my knowledge, that has not been proven.
It has not been proven exactly when William McWhirter was born, some descendants think 1702 while others think 1720.
