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Nancy Ward (Nanyehi) part 2

© Karen West Sanchez

Nancy Ward was instrumental in helping the white settlements defend themselves against the British armies led by Dragging Canoe, Abraham and Raven in 1776. On July 20, 1776, Abraham failed to destroy the Watauga community as he had planned. However, he succeeded in capturing two of the townspeople, Mrs. William Bean and Samuel Moore. Both were to be burned at the stake. Mrs. Bean was bound and the pire was about to be lit when Nancy Ward appeared and demanded her release. Being the Ghigau, the only person granted the right to free prisoners, her demand was met. Nancy took Mrs. Bean to her home and protected her until she could be returned to her husband.

In her later years, Nancy Ward managed an Inn at Womankiller Ford on the Ocowee River in Tennessee. She was a successful businesswoman, becoming very wealthy and owning many livestock. She died in the Spring of 1824 at her home on the Ocowee River.

Nancy Ward (Nan-ye'-hi) and Tsu-la Kingfisher had two children, Kati (also known as Catherine) and Hi-s-ki-ti-hi (also known as Little Fellow).

Kati was born about 1752 and died sometime after 1793. She was married three times. Her first marriage was to Samuel Candy. They had one son, naming him Samuel Candy, Jr who was born about 1768.

Her second marriage was to John Walker. Their children were Jennie born about 1771 and John Jr born about 1773.

Her third marriage was to Ellis Harlan. He was the son of Ezekial Harlan, Jr. and Hannah Oborn. Ellis was born about 1731 and died in 1819. Ellis and Kati had seven children: Nancy born about 1777, George born about 1779, Ezekiel born about 1781, Susannah born about 1784, Ruth born about 1787, Sarah born about 1790 and Elizabeth born on 8-15-1793.

Sarah Harlan, sixth child of Kati and Ellis Harlan, married Jacob West, born in 1788 and died in 1843. Sarah died about 1837. Sarah and Jacob had seven children: Bluford born about 1809 and died 1845, John W. born on 3-29-1811, Eliza born 12-27-1813, Rosanah born about 1816, Ellis born about 1818, George born about 1820 and died about 1847, and Ezekiel born about 1822 and died about 1845.

John W. West, second child of Sarah and Jacob West, married Ruth Fields, born 12-11-1815 and died 9-22-1869. She was the daughter of George Fields and Sarah Coody. John W. died 4-4-1867. John and Ruth had eight children: William Mosley born about 1835, George Rider born on 3-18-1838 and died 5-23-1863, Martha born 7-28-1840 and died 3-30-1864, John Calhoun born 8-10-1842, James Polk born 10-10-1844, Kiamitia born 1847, Ruth Elizabeth born 11-20-1849 and Franklin Pierce born 1852 and died 1886.

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