Jeremiah Austill (August 10, 1794 – December 8, 1879) was an American politician, planter and soldier who served in the Alabama Militia during the

Creek War The Creek War (also the Red Stick War or the Creek Civil War) was a regional conflict between opposing Native American factions, European powers, and the United States during the early 19th century. The Creek War began as a conflict within th ...

, in which he participated in a skirmish that became known as the Canoe Fight. After the Creek War, Austill held various jobs and briefly served as a member of the

Alabama House of Representatives The Alabama House of Representatives is the lower house of the Alabama Legislature, the state legislature (United States), state legislature of state of Alabama. The House is composed of 105 members representing an equal number of districts, with ...

Early life

Austill was born on August 10, 1794, near Oconee Station,

South Carolina South Carolina ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders North Carolina to the north and northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, and Georgia (U.S. state), Georg ...

. His father, Evan Austill, was an assistant

Indian agent In United States history, an Indian agent was an individual authorized to interact with American Indian tribes on behalf of the U.S. government. Agents established in Nonintercourse Act of 1793 The federal regulation of Indian affairs in the Un ...

to the

Cherokee The Cherokee (; , or ) people are one of the Indigenous peoples of the Southeastern Woodlands of the United States. Prior to the 18th century, they were concentrated in their homelands, in towns along river valleys of what is now southwestern ...

. In 1798, the Austill family moved to Georgia to live among the Cherokee. By age six, Austill was sent back to South Carolina to attend school. Austill, along with his parents and siblings, moved to Washington County,

Mississippi Territory The Territory of Mississippi was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that was created under an organic act passed by the United States Congress, Congress of the United States. It was approved and signed into law by Presiden ...

(present-day

Clarke County, Alabama Clarke County is a County (United States), county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population was 23,087. The county seat is Grove Hill, Alabama, Grove Hill. T ...

) in 1812.

Military service

Soon after the Austills arrived in Alabama, the

began as a conflict between two rival Creek factions, the Creek national government and the rebellious

Red Stick Red Sticks (also Redsticks, Batons Rouges, or Red Clubs)—the name deriving from the red-painted war clubs of some Native American Creek—refers to an early 19th century traditionalist faction of Muscogee Creek people in the Southeastern Uni ...

s. By July 1813, local settlers had constructed Fort Glass to protect themselves from retaliatory Red Stick attacks. Around the time of the

Battle of Burnt Corn The Battle of Burnt Corn, also known as the Battle of Burnt Corn Creek, was an encounter between United States armed forces and Red Stick Creeks that took place July 27, 1813 in present-day southern Alabama. This battle was the first engagement ...

Austill contracted

malaria Malaria is a Mosquito-borne disease, mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects vertebrates and ''Anopheles'' mosquitoes. Human malaria causes Signs and symptoms, symptoms that typically include fever, Fatigue (medical), fatigue, vomitin ...

, which prevented him from joining the local militia. Austill trained under a Dr. Lowery while living in

Fort Madison Fort Madison is a city in and a county seat of Lee County, Iowa, Lee County, Iowa, United States along with Keokuk, Iowa, Keokuk. Of Iowa's 99 counties, Lee County is the only one with two county seats. The population was 10,270 at the time of ...

, assisting in operating on wounded soldiers and civilians. After the Kimbell-James massacre at

Fort Sinquefield Fort Sinquefield is the historic site of a wooden stockade fortification in Clarke County, Alabama, United States, near the modern town of Grove Hill. It was built by early Clarke County pioneers as protection during the Creek War and was attac ...

, Austill volunteered to relay news of the attack from Fort Madison to

Fort Stoddert Fort Stoddert, also known as Fort Stoddard, was a stockade fort in the U.S. Mississippi Territory, in what is today Alabama. It was located on a bluff of the Mobile River, near modern Mount Vernon, close to the confluence of the Tombigbee and ...

, a thirty-seven mile ride, to request additional protection for the occupants of Fort Madison from General Ferdinand Claiborne, who was headquartered at Mount Vernon Cantonment. Austill returned to Fort Madison and brought word that the residents of Forts Madison and Glass needed to abandon their posts and move to Fort St. Stephens out of fear of a Red Stick attack. The soldiers who were stationed in Fort Madison left, leaving Austill's father in command of the fort. On November 11, 1813, Captain Samuel Dale organized an expedition at Fort Madison to travel east of the

Alabama River The Alabama River, in the U.S. state of Alabama, is formed by the Tallapoosa River, Tallapoosa and Coosa River, Coosa rivers, which unite about north of Montgomery, Alabama, Montgomery, near the town of Wetumpka, Alabama, Wetumpka. Over a co ...

and drive away the Red Sticks from the surrounding area. While paddling two canoes, Dale, Austill, James Smith, and a free Black named Caesar attacked nine Red Stick warriors (who were also in canoes), in a fierce melee which became known as the Canoe Fight. Austill was wounded by a blow to the head but soon recovered. After the Canoe Fight, Austill assisted in the construction of Fort Claiborne prior to participating in the Battle of Holy Ground. During the battle, Austill transported the

Choctaw The Choctaw ( ) people are one of the Indigenous peoples of the Southeastern Woodlands of the United States, originally based in what is now Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The Choctaw language is a Western Muskogean language. Today, Choct ...

chief

Pushmataha Pushmataha ( – December 24, 1824; also spelled Pooshawattaha, Pooshamallaha, or Poosha Matthaw) was one of the three regional chiefs of the major divisions of the Choctaw in the 19th century. Many historians considered him the "greatest of a ...

and five to six warriors across the Alabama River. After crossing the river the party captured an untold amount of Red Stick supplies. During the Creek War, Austill served as a

private Private or privates may refer to: Music * "In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorded ...

with the 1st Regiment, Mississippi Territorial Volunteers and as a

sergeant Sergeant (Sgt) is a Military rank, rank in use by the armed forces of many countries. It is also a police rank in some police services. The alternative spelling, ''serjeant'', is used in The Rifles and in other units that draw their heritage f ...

with Carson's Regiment of Mississippi Militia. Austill was referred to as "

Colonel Colonel ( ; abbreviated as Col., Col, or COL) is a senior military Officer (armed forces), officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a colon ...

Austill" and "

Major Major most commonly refers to: * Major (rank), a military rank * Academic major, an academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits * People named Major, including given names, surnames, nicknames * Major and minor in musi ...

Austill" later in his life, despite never being listed in military documentation as officially obtaining these ranks.

Civilian career

At the conclusion of the Creek War, Austill settled where the city of Montgomery now stands. His maternal uncle, David Files, then asked Austill to serve as a clerk at his store in St. Stephens. Files served as a

quartermaster Quartermaster is a military term, the meaning of which depends on the country and service. In land army, armies, a quartermaster is an officer who supervises military logistics, logistics and requisitions, manages stores or barracks, and distri ...

and

paymaster A paymaster is someone appointed by a group of buyers, sellers, investors or lenders to receive, hold, and dispense funds, commissions, fees, salaries (remuneration) or other trade, loan, or sales proceeds within the private sector or public secto ...

for the

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the primary Land warfare, land service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution.Article II, section 2, clause 1 of th ...

and sent Austill to Mobile and

New Orleans New Orleans (commonly known as NOLA or The Big Easy among other nicknames) is a Consolidated city-county, consolidated city-parish located along the Mississippi River in the U.S. state of Louisiana. With a population of 383,997 at the 2020 ...

to settle customers' debts. While in New Orleans, Austill contracted yellow fever and lost 84 pounds. He then conducted business for his uncle in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

Baltimore Baltimore is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland. With a population of 585,708 at the 2020 census and estimated at 568,271 in 2024, it is the 30th-most populous U.S. city. The Baltimore metropolitan area is the 20th-large ...

, and

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

, prior to returning to St. Stephens. While Austill was in the

Northeast The points of the compass are a set of horizontal, radially arrayed compass directions (or azimuths) used in navigation and cartography. A '' compass rose'' is primarily composed of four cardinal directions—north, east, south, and west—eac ...

, his father died and was buried near the site of Fort Madison. Files died in 1820. Prior to his death, he served as

marshal Marshal is a term used in several official titles in various branches of society. As marshals became trusted members of the courts of Middle Ages, Medieval Europe, the title grew in reputation. During the last few centuries, it has been used fo ...

for southern Alabama. Tolliver Livingston was chosen to replace Files as marshal, but Livingston was physically handicapped. Austill was made deputy marshal to carry out the physical duties of the office and served in that position from 1818 to 1823. He was then asked to serve as clerk for the Court of Mobile and cotton weigher for the city. He also clerked for the

United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama The United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama (in case citations, S.D. Ala.) is a federal court in the Eleventh Circuit (except for patent claims and claims against the U.S. government under the Tucker Act, which are app ...

. While serving as clerk, Austill also worked as a commission merchant. He modified the way cotton was weighed locally in Mobile, leading to an increased amount of cotton being brought to market. This caused him to resign as clerk and commence work as a full-time commission merchant. As a merchant, Austill handled multiple accounts, including those of Charles Tait. Austill served as the foreman of the first hook and ladder company of Mobile from 1827 to 1829. In 1829, Austill and Thomas Rhodes of

Mississippi Mississippi ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Deep South regions of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Alabama to the east, the Gulf of Mexico to the south, Louisiana to the s ...

formed a partnership and entered into a contract with the

United States Post Office Department The United States Post Office Department (USPOD; also known as the Post Office or U.S. Mail) was the predecessor of the United States Postal Service, established in 1792. From 1872 to 1971, it was officially in the form of a Cabinet of the Un ...

to deliver mail between Mobile and New Orleans. The route took mail by

stagecoach A stagecoach (also: stage coach, stage, road coach, ) is a four-wheeled public transport coach used to carry paying passengers and light packages on journeys long enough to need a change of horses. It is strongly sprung and generally drawn by ...

from Mobile to

Pascagoula The Pascagoula (also Pascoboula, Pacha-Ogoula, Pascagola, Pascaboula, Paskaguna) were an indigenous group living in coastal Mississippi on the Pascagoula River. The name ''Pascagoula'' is a Choctaw term meaning "bread eater". Choctaw native Am ...

, then by boat from that location to New Orleans. Austill and Rhodes were paid for the transportation of the mail but were initially not reimbursed for the stagecoach road. The construction payment was settled in the

United States Court of Claims The Court of Claims was a federal court that heard claims against the United States government. It was established in 1855, renamed in 1948 to the United States Court of Claims (), and abolished in 1982. Then, its jurisdiction was assumed by the n ...

in 1856. In 1832, Austill served as the Port Warden for Mobile. Following the

Treaty of Cusseta The Treaty of Cusseta was a treaty between the government of the United States and the Creek Nation signed March 24, 1832 (). The treaty ceded all Creek claims east of the Mississippi River to the United States. Origins The Treaty of Cusset ...

in March 1832, all Creek land east of the

Mississippi River The Mississippi River is the main stem, primary river of the largest drainage basin in the United States. It is the second-longest river in the United States, behind only the Missouri River, Missouri. From its traditional source of Lake Ita ...

was ceded to the United States. Prior to the processing of these lands,

squatters Squatting is the action of occupying an abandoned or unoccupied area of land or a building (usually residential) that the squatter does not own, rent or otherwise have lawful permission to use. The United Nations estimated in 2003 that there wer ...

began occupying the former Creek land. Austill was made a deputy marshal and was headquartered at Fort Mitchell with the task of keeping the squatters away. In July 1833, one of the squatters, Hardeman Owens (who was the County Commissioner of Roads and Revenue for the newly created Russell County), was shot by soldiers during an eviction attempt after

booby trap A booby trap is a device or setup that is intended to kill, harm or surprise a human or an animal. It is triggered by the presence or actions of the victim and sometimes has some form of bait designed to lure the victim towards it. The trap may b ...

ping his home. Owens' death angered local settlers, who appealed to the Russell County Court. The Court issued an arrest warrant for Austill and the soldiers who were present at the time of Owens' death, but there is no record of Austill's actual arrest. During the

Panic of 1837 The Panic of 1837 was a financial crisis in the United States that began a major depression (economics), depression which lasted until the mid-1840s. Profits, prices, and wages dropped, westward expansion was stalled, unemployment rose, and pes ...

Austill lost $170,000. Even so, he was able to purchase a plantation on the

Tombigbee River The Tombigbee River is a tributary of the Mobile River, approximately 200 mi (325 km) long, in the U.S. states of Mississippi and Alabama. Together with the Alabama, it merges to form the short Mobile River before the latter empties i ...

in 1840, (which included the site of Fort Carney), and built a home there in 1844. Austill raised cotton and

sugar cane Sugarcane or sugar cane is a species of tall, Perennial plant, perennial grass (in the genus ''Saccharum'', tribe Andropogoneae) that is used for sugar Sugar industry, production. The plants are 2–6 m (6–20 ft) tall with stout, jointed, fib ...

on his plantation. His home was notable for the addition of a water ram in 1848 that allowed water to be delivered to the house via pipes instead of through physical labor. In 1845, Austill was elected to serve as a Democratic member of the Alabama House of Representatives, serving one term from 1845 to 1846.

Personal life

Austill married Martha Hayes on March 9, 1819, in Burnt Corn, Alabama. After marriage, the couple lived near Bermuda, Alabama. Martha died in Claiborne, Alabama on November 1, 1820, after falling from a fence post. After his wife's death, Austill sold their farm and returned ten slaves to his father-in-law. On October 10, 1834, Austill married Margaret Ervin Eades, the daughter of John Eades of

Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the South Caucasus * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the southeastern United States Georgia may also refer to: People and fictional characters * Georgia (name), a list of pe ...

and Jenny Fee of

County Armagh County Armagh ( ) is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland and one of the traditional thirty-two counties of Ireland. It is located in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Ulster and adjoins the southern shore of Lough Neagh. It borders t ...

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

. The elder Eades assisted in constructing Fort Carney. There he was hailed by Austill who brought news of the attack on Fort Sinquefield. This marriage produced two sons and three daughters. One son, Hurieosco Austill, served as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives and

Alabama Senate The Alabama State Senate is the upper house of the Alabama Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alabama. The body is composed of 35 members representing an equal number of districts across the state, with each district con ...

, as well as

Chancellor Chancellor () is a title of various official positions in the governments of many countries. The original chancellors were the of Roman courts of justice—ushers, who sat at the (lattice work screens) of a basilica (court hall), which separa ...

of the

. Austill's grandson, Jere Austill, was a

college football College football is gridiron football that is played by teams of amateur Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. It was through collegiate competition that gridiron football American football in the United States, firs ...

player, coach, and

lawyer A lawyer is a person who is qualified to offer advice about the law, draft legal documents, or represent individuals in legal matters. The exact nature of a lawyer's work varies depending on the legal jurisdiction and the legal system, as w ...

Death and legacy

Austill died on December 8, 1879. The marker at his grave site erroneously lists his year of death as 1881 and was placed in 1929 by the Needham Bryan Chapter of the

Daughters of the American Revolution The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (often abbreviated as DAR or NSDAR) is a lineage-based membership service organization for women who are directly descended from a patriot of the American Revolutionary War. A non-p ...

. Despite his multiple occupations, Austill is most well known for his participation in the Canoe Fight. A historical marker was placed by the Clarke County Historical Society in 2014 near the site of Austill's grave, listing his date of death as December 9, 1879. Austill was included in at least two depictions of the Canoe Fight, both created during the

New Deal The New Deal was a series of wide-reaching economic, social, and political reforms enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the United States between 1933 and 1938, in response to the Great Depression in the United States, Great Depressi ...

John Kelly Fitzpatrick John Kelly Fitzpatrick (1888–1953) was a regionalist American painter from Alabama. Biography Early life John Kelly Fitzpatrick was born in 1888 in Wetumpka, Alabama.Rebecca Mark (ed.), Robert C. Vaughan (ed.), ''The South'', Westport, Co ...

's study for the post office at

Ozark, Alabama Ozark is a city in and the county seat of Dale County, Alabama. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city was 14,907. Ozark is the principal city of the Ozark Micropolitan Statistical Area, as well as a part of the Dothan-Ozark Co ...

(not accepted for final publication) and John Augustus Walker's mural for Mobile's

Old City Hall Old City Hall may refer to: Asia In Hong Kong * Old City Hall (Hong Kong) Europe In Croatia * Old City Hall (Zagreb) In Denmark * Old City Hall (1479–1728), in Copenhagen * Old City Hall (1728–1795), in Copenhagen * Old City Hall (Aalborg ...

References

Sources

* * * * * * *

External links

Daguerreotype of Jeremiah Austill
{{DEFAULTSORT:Austill, Jeremiah 1794 births 1879 deaths Members of the Alabama House of Representatives People of the Creek War People from Oconee County, South Carolina People from Clarke County, Alabama Politicians from Mobile, Alabama 19th-century members of the Alabama Legislature