Prosperous gales quickly wafted the vessel in safety to the shores of America, and soon after their arrival in Pennsylvania Jacob Forney and Mariah Bergner (for that was the fair one’s name) were united in marriage.  At this time the fertile lands and healthful climate of the South were attracting a numerous emigration from the middle colonies.  Influenced by such inviting considerations, Forney joined the great tide of emigration a few years after his marriage, and settled in Lincoln county (formerly Tryon) about the year 1754.

The first settlers of Lincoln county suffered greatly by the depredations and occasional murders by the Cherokee Indians.  On several occasions many of the inhabitants temporarily abandoned their homes, and removed to the more populous settlements east of the Catawba river.  Others, finding it inconvenient to remove, constructed rude forts for their mutual defence.  A repetition of these incursions having occurred a few years after Forney’s arrival, he removed his family to a place of safety east of the river until the Indians could be severely chastised by military force.  On the next day he returned to his former residence, accompanied by two of his neighbors, to search for his cattle.  After proceeding about a mile from home they spied a small Indian just ahead of them running rapidly, and not far from the spot now well known as the “Rocky Spring Camp Ground.”  Forney truly suspected more Indians were in the immediate vicinity.  After progressing but a short distance, he and his party discovered, in an open space beyond them, ten or twelve Indians, a part of whom, at least, were armed with guns, apparently waiting their approach.  Forney being a good marksman, and having a courage equal to any emergency, was in favor of giving them battle immediately, but his two companions overruled him, contending it would be impossible to disperse such a large number.  It was therefore deemed advisable to retreat, and make their way to the fort, about two miles in their rear, where several families had assembled.  After proceeding a short distance the Indians approached somewhat nearer and fired upon the party but without effect.  Forney directed his companies to reserve their fire until the Indians approached sufficiently near to take a sure and deadly aim, and maintain an orderly retreat in the direction of the fort.  Soon after they commenced retreating the Indians again fired upon them and unfortunately one of the party, Richards, was dangerously wounded.  At this critical moment, when one or two well directed fires might have repulsed their enemy, the courage of F——­, the other companion, failed him, and he made his rapid departure.  Forney, however, continued his retreat, assisting his wounded companion as much as he could, and, although fired upon several times, managed to keep the Indians at some distance off by presenting, his unerring rifle when their timidity was manifested by falling down in the grass, or taking