James McDowell, the second son of Colonel Joseph McDowell that lived to manhood, possessed the esteem of all who knew him.
He was a member of the Senate in the Legislature, from Burke County, in 1832, and filled other offices of trust. Like each one of Colonel Joseph McDowell's children, he was remarkable for his modesty, for his integrity, and his open-handed charity.
He owned the Pleasant Gardens, where he lived until advanced in life. He then moved to Yancey County, where he died. He married Margaret Erwin, and left five children, namely: Dr. Joseph McDowell, Dr. John McDowell, of Burke County; William McDowell, of Asheville; Kate, who married Montraville Patton; Margaret, who married Marcus Erwin.
These are the descendants of the branch of which "Hunting John" was the ancestor.
John McDowell, of Quaker Meadows, was the cousin of "Hunting John," (Dr. W. A. Michal.) He was one of the pioneers of this region of country, and settled "at Quaker Meadows," on the Catawba River, about a mile from Morganton. He was a native of Ireland, and married Margaret O'Neal, (the widow of Mr. Greenlee,) by whom he had three sons: Hugh McDowell, General Charles McDowell, Major John McDowell.
Hugh McDowell, son of John and Margaret O'Neal, of Quaker Meadows, left three daughters: Mrs. McGintry, Mrs. McKinsey; Margaret, who married James Murphy, who left one son, John Murphy, who married Margaret Avery, and left three daughters and one son: Margaret, who married Thomas G. Walton; Sarah, who married Alexander F. Gaston, son of Judge Gaston; Harriet, who married William M. Walton; John H. McDowell, who married Clara Patton.
General Charles McDowell, (son of John and Margaret O'Neal, of Quaker Meadows,) born in 1743; died 1815, was probably a native of Ireland. On the commencement of our Revolutionary troubles, he was the commander of an extensive district in his section of country, and was a brave and daring officer.
It was not until the year 1780 that western North Carolina became the field of military operations in the Revolutionary war. After subduing the States of Georgia and South Carolina, the British forces advanced to this State and commenced making demonstrations. McDowell was active in counteracting their movements.
In June, 1780, having been joined by Shelby, Sevier, and Clarke, of Georgia, near Cherokee Ford on Broad River, McDowell determined to attack the British at a strongly fortified post on the Pacolet River, under command of Patrick Moore, which he gallantly performed and compelled him to surrender.
He also attacked the Tories at Musgrove Mill on the Enoree River and routed them.
Many other brilliant affairs in this section marked his energy and efficiency as a soldier. We have recorded the facts of his missing a participation in the battle of King's Mountain.
As the several officers held equal rank, by a council of officers McDowell was dispatched to headquarters, then near Salisbury, to have General Sumner or General Davidson, who had been appointed brigadier general in place of General Rutherford, taken prisoner at Gates' defeat.
This closed his military career. The people of his county were not ungrateful to him for his long and successful military service. He was the Senator from Burke from 1782 to 1788, and he had been also in 1778, and member of the House 1809-'10-'11. He died 31st March, 1815. He married Grace Greenlee, who was distinguished among "the women of the Revolution." She was a woman of remarkable energy and firmness. Mrs. Ellet has recorded her extraordinary character, and relates that on one occasion some bummers, in the
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