| 10. |  David Crockett Maples, Sr. was born 20 Oct 1840, Sevier County, Tennessee (son of William Abijah Maples and Elizabeth McMahan); died 30 Oct 1928, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried 31 Dec 1928, Banner Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. Notes:
Serving the Union Army during the Civil War, David Crockett Maples enlisted 18 October 1863 at Sevierville, Tennessee in Company H, 9th Tennessee Cavalry. He was discharged on 8 June 1865. His personal description at that time was: 6' 3" in height, fair complexion, blue eyes and light hair.
From the pension file of David Crockett Maples, an affidavit by William R. King in 1893 tells the story how David Crockett Maples lost his feet. It is quoted in the exact words of William R. King..."Said Maples was badly frostbitten in the winter 18??. Said Maples undertook to carry a man from his home to the top of the Alleghany or Smoky Mountains, and the snow was very deep, and the
weather very cold. The snow was so deep that it was very difficult for him to travel. Said Maples went on, tried to comply with his promise in carrying the man accross the mountain and the snow was so deep that his strength failed. He became so exhausted that he could not get back to his home or any place of shelter. He crawled into a hollow log and lay overnight where he was very much exposed, and from said exposure he was badly frozen so much so that both of his feet had to be amputated. His feet were amputated on the 21st day of January 1877 caused from being frozen."
He made and fitted artificial boots..strapped them to his legs and wore them till his death. This has been told by numerous descendants, and is a true mountain legend.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1974, p 102.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 140, 189, 204, 238, 240.
Rosa Lee Downey notes, 16 June 1983, p 119, 122.
"Smoky Mountain Family Album," Gladys Trentham Russell, 1984, p 65.
Dee Lansford GEDCOM, 24 September 1995.
"Sevier County, Tennessee and Its Heritage", 1994, p 288.
"Mountain Ways", Gene Aiken, 1983, p 24.
"Mountain Ways Two", Gene Aiken, 1986, p 87.
David married Lucinda King 4 Mar 1886. Lucinda (daughter of William Riley King, Jr. and Matilda "Tildy" Ogle) was born 22 May 1861, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 26 Sep 1934, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried Banner Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]
|
Search | Advanced Search