On October 7, 1780, brother met brother, neighbor met neighbor, Patriot met Loyalist on a battlefield in rural South Carolina. The battle lasted an hour: the brevity belied the import. Thomas Jefferson proclaimed the Battle of King's Mountain turned "the tide of success which terminated the Revolutionary War, with the seal of our independence."

Fewer than one thousand American Heroes, through skill, luck, and the leadership of cunning strategists, defeated Patrick Ferguson, a brilliant star of the British military might. Joseph Sevier was one of the seven members of the Sevier family in that battle.

His participation in the Battle of King's Mountain was documented by Lyman C. Draper, the acknowledged authority on the battle. On Page 266 of his tome, "King's Mountain and Its Heroes," Draper wrote:

"Sevier's column at length gained the summit of the hill, driving the enemy's left fiank upon his center. \ But they were not subjected to an^^ bayonet charges — save a portion of the left, who hastened to the support of Campbell's regi- ment, when hard pressed, and became intermingled with them. Captain Robert Sevier was mortally wounded towards the close of the action, and becoming faint and thirsty, was assisted, by his brother, Joseph Sevier, some distance to a hollow, where there was a spring of water."

The members of the Sevier family who fought in that battle were:

Colonel (later Governor) John Sevier

James Sevier - son of the Colonel

Joseph Sevier - son of the Colonel

Abraham Sevier - brother of the Colonel

Joseph Sevier - brother of the Colonel

Robert Sevier - brother of the Colonel

Valentine Sevier - brother of the Colonel

Joseph Sevier was the son of Valentine and Joanna Goad Sevier. He married Sarah Elizabeth Cawood and had at least two children: there may have been others. The Daughters of the American Revolution documented sons:

John "Jack" Sevier 1791 - 1875

Alfred Cawood Sevier 1805–1852

Note: Because great confusion regarding the identity of this gentleman exists, further explanation is mandated.

Joseph Sevier (1764 - 1826) was the son of Valentine and Joanna Goad Sevier. He married Sarah Elizabeth Cawood. The couple had at least two children: sons, John and Alfred. John married Rhoda Overstreet, a granddaughter of Thomas Overstreet. Alfred married Mary Windle. She was a granddaughter of Governor John and Katherine Sherrill Sevier through their daughter, Joanna Goad Sevier Windle, thus her husband's first cousin once removed. (Reference Find A Grave Memorial 6364681.)

Joseph Sevier, the son of Abraham and Naomi Douglass Sevier, was killed by Indians in 1794. (Reference Find A Grave Memorial 119587152.) Please search online for the tragic account of the Sevier Station Massacre.

Joseph Sevier (born 1762) was the son of Governor John Sevier and his first wife, Sarah Hawkins Sevier. (Reference Find A Grave Memorials 61248815 and 204587979.)

Many descendants of Valentine and Joanna Sevier have joined the Daughters of the American Revolution and the information may be found in the Genealogical Research System at dar.org. Membership is not required to access the DAR GRS.

Note: the Knight - Sevier Cemetery is also known as the Kiesling - Knight Cemetery.

Thank you, RDL, for the SAC! And thank you, Serena Potter, for your valuable research which was so greatly instrumental in correcting the information concerning this Patriot, this Hero!