Joseph McDowell (Colonel)
Encyclopedia
Joseph "Quaker Meadows" McDowell, Jr. (1756 – 5 February 1801) was an American planter, soldier, and statesman from North Carolina
. He was known as "Quaker Meadows Joe" to distinguish him from his cousin Joseph "Pleasant Gardens" McDowell
, who was also a legislator and American Revolutionary War
officer from North Carolina. The two men are not always clearly distinguished in historical records; both were in the 1780 Battle of Kings Mountain
, one as a major leading the Burke County
militia
, and the other in a subordinate role as a captain. Although "Quaker Meadows" Joe is usually hailed as the Major McDowell who was the hero of the battle, some descendants of "Pleasant Gardens Joe" maintained that it was their ancestor who led the Burke County militia, a claim which, according to the Dictionary of American Biography, is contradicted by contemporary evidence.
McDowell was born on his family's estate, "Quaker Meadows", in Burke County, North Carolina
. He served in the North Carolina militia
during the Revolutionary War. He probably commanded militiamen at the Battle of Kings Mountain, and he also fought at the Battle of Cowpens
in January 1781.
McDowell served in the 5th United States Congress
from 1797 to 1799. He is sometimes credited as also having served in the 3rd United States Congress
(1793–1795), but according to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
, it was his cousin, Joseph "Pleasant Gardens" McDowell, who served at that time.
McDowell died in Burke County. His son Joseph J. McDowell
also served in Congress.
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. He was known as "Quaker Meadows Joe" to distinguish him from his cousin Joseph "Pleasant Gardens" McDowell
Joseph McDowell (General)
Joseph "Pleasant Gardens" McDowell was an American lawyer, soldier, and statesman from Morganton, North Carolina....
, who was also a legislator and American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
officer from North Carolina. The two men are not always clearly distinguished in historical records; both were in the 1780 Battle of Kings Mountain
Battle of Kings Mountain
The Battle of Kings Mountain was a decisive battle between the Patriot and Loyalist militias in the Southern campaign of the American Revolutionary War...
, one as a major leading the Burke County
Burke County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 89,148 people, 34,528 households, and 24,342 families residing in the county. The population density was 176 people per square mile . There were 37,427 housing units at an average density of 74 per square mile...
militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
, and the other in a subordinate role as a captain. Although "Quaker Meadows" Joe is usually hailed as the Major McDowell who was the hero of the battle, some descendants of "Pleasant Gardens Joe" maintained that it was their ancestor who led the Burke County militia, a claim which, according to the Dictionary of American Biography, is contradicted by contemporary evidence.
McDowell was born on his family's estate, "Quaker Meadows", in Burke County, North Carolina
Burke County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 89,148 people, 34,528 households, and 24,342 families residing in the county. The population density was 176 people per square mile . There were 37,427 housing units at an average density of 74 per square mile...
. He served in the North Carolina militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
during the Revolutionary War. He probably commanded militiamen at the Battle of Kings Mountain, and he also fought at the Battle of Cowpens
Battle of Cowpens
The Battle of Cowpens was a decisive victory by Patriot Revolutionary forces under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan, in the Southern campaign of the American Revolutionary War...
in January 1781.
McDowell served in the 5th United States Congress
5th United States Congress
The Fifth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives...
from 1797 to 1799. He is sometimes credited as also having served in the 3rd United States Congress
3rd United States Congress
The Third United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives...
(1793–1795), but according to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
The Biographical Directory of the United States Congress is a biographical dictionary of all present and former members of the United States Congress as well as its predecessor, the Continental Congress...
, it was his cousin, Joseph "Pleasant Gardens" McDowell, who served at that time.
McDowell died in Burke County. His son Joseph J. McDowell
Joseph J. McDowell
Joseph Jefferson McDowell was a U.S. Representative from Ohio, son of Joseph McDowell.Born in Burke County, North Carolina, McDowell moved to Kentucky with his mother in 1805 and to Augusta County, Virginia, in 1817.He pursued preparatory studies.He engaged in agricultural pursuits.He moved to...
also served in Congress.
External links
- McDowell's Congressional biography
- "The Great Joseph Controversy", about the confusion of the two Joseph McDowells