- Early in the spring of 1800 John Wear, Nathan Wilkinson, and others including Obediah Lovelady journeyed in small boats from Fine's Ferry on French Broad River at the mouth of Nolachuck River destined for Boone's settlement on the Missouri River. Generally the Indians were friendly and helpful, but towards the end of their journey they encountered hostile Cherokees who were waging war with the Kikapoo. They were led by John Watts who gave John Wear the same protection he had given to Ro.bert Wear and the party landed safely at Fort Massac about the first of May and continued on to the Mississippi River and settled near the swamps in the vicinity of Old Jackson. They were immediately taken sick with fever. Many of the party died among them Nancy Moore, John Wear's wife, and his son John and the rest only survived due to the care given them by the Indians.
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