The early settlements along the Watauga and Holston Rivers in what’s now Tennessee were the very beginning of “The Wild West.” While names like Daniel Boone, John Sevier, and William Bean filled the history books, another man was standing right beside them at nearly every major turning point—yet his story has been lost to time.
In this episode, suggested by one of our listeners, Steve and Rod tell the story of Captain William Asher. One of the first to arrive in the Watauga settlement, Captain Asher served as a Patriot in the American Revolution, fought the Chickamauga, established fortified stations on the frontier and guided surveyors as they headed west, only to meet a sudden, tragic end while hunting deer near his home at Bean Station.
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I love these stories. Please keep them coming.
Gary Love
Chaplin/Tennessee Sons of the Revolution
P.S. Robert Young is my 9th generation grandfather.
It’s sad how Captain Asher was involved in all those major events and never received any recognition for it.
Great Story! To tell the truth we probably hadn’t heard of William Asher before because he never ran for any public office like some of the early names we do know who promoted themselves to get elected.
I am an eighth grade teacher, and William Asher perfectly bridges the gap between quite a few historical events, which makes him an absolute goldmine for teaching younger students. You could follow along with his life and teach subject to subject.
Thanks again for another wonderful story, and keep up the good work!