Waxhaws
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Waxhaws is the name of both an extinct American Indian tribe and of a geographical area bordering North and South Carolina to the Southeast of the city of Charlotte, N.C..
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[edit] Waxhaws: the American Indian tribe
The tribe became extinct due to a smallpox epidemic in the early 1700s, which opened up the territory to European settlement. The few surviving Waxhaws joined a related tribe, the Catawba (currently in South Carolina). Some early accounts of the tribe survive, including a section in John Lawson's A New Voyage to Carolina. Variant spelling: Waxsaws, Waxhau.
The Waxhaw Indians were known for a distinctive look: bulging eyes, caused by binding the heads of infants. The Waxhaws claimed that this made them better warriors by giving them a wider field of vision.
[edit] Waxhaws: the Region
The Waxhaws are in the Piedmont region of North and South Carolina, southwest of the little known (and little) Uwharrie Mountains, and southeast of Charlotte. This region is generally forested and hilly, but not mountainous. One town in the region has taken on the name, but is only one corner of the region.
[edit] Waxhaws: History
After the decline of the Waxhaw Indians, the area was settled by European immigrants, mostly Scots-Irish and German.
The most noteworthy native of this region was Andrew Jackson, 7th president of the United States. In one of those accidents of history, it is known that he was born in one of two cabins, less than 100 yards apart - but because the State Line ran between them, it is unknown whether he was born in North or South Carolina (he himself always stated it was South). However, it is firmly established that he was born in the Waxhaws.
During the American Revolution, the people of the Waxhaws put up a fierce resistance to the British, notably under the command of Col. William Davies (under whom, not coincidentally, Andrew Jackson served as a messenger).
The most important event in the region, however, and one of the most important yet neglected events of the Revolutionary War, did not involve locals. This was the Waxhaw Massacre, in which a force of about 350 Virginian Continentals under Col. Buford tried to surrender to the British Col. Banastre Tarleton and a force of 700 dragoons. The massacre took place at what is now Buford, South Carolina.
During the American Civil War, Sherman's army came through parts of the region.
Notable business enterprises that began in the region include Belk's Department Stores and Spring's Industries.
[edit] Waxhaws: Present
The Waxhaw region is largely rural with a number of small towns, the remnants of a textile industry, and a fair number of new industries. This region is modernizing tolerably well, aided by the proximity of Charlotte. The western parts of the Waxhaws have already become suburbs of Charlotte.
