House of the Messenger

09/14/2026

The log segment was donated by the Joseph Greer Chapter to the Tennessee State museum from the Recovery and Reconstruction of the Kings Mountain Messenger's dogtrot house. The house is completed and is located at Camp Blount, Fayetteville, TN. More at: House of the Messenger

By the time of the American Revolution, Joseph Greer lived in the Watauga Settlement, present-day Carter County, Tennessee. In 1780, Greer fought in the Patriot forces at the Battle of Kings Mountain under the command of Colonel John Sevier. They defeated British Loyalists in this critical conflict, a turning point in the war in the South. According to tradition, Greer carried news of this victory to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.

Following the war, Greer lived for a time in Knoxville, working as a court clerk and operating a store. For his military service, Greer received a land grant in Lincoln County. In 1804, he moved to Petersburg with his family and lived in a log cabin featuring an open passageway, called a dogtrot, in the center. Greer lived in this house with his family until constructing a larger frame home nearby in 1810.

In the Museum's "Tennessee Voices, American Stories" exhibition, visitors can learn more and see Greer's overcoat, surveyor's compass, and corner log section from his cabin on display.

08/19/2026

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07/17/2026

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07/06/2026

Camp Blount

06/05/2026

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06/03/2026

In Celebration of America 250 - Joseph Greer Open House

Book signing and open house set for June 27 at Camp Blount, Fayetteville

05/25/2026

TNSSAR Joseph Greer Page
https://www.tnssar.org/joseph-greer-chapter.html

Printers Order Site
House of the Messenger - The Recovery and Reconstruction of the Kings Mountain Messenger's Dogtrot House
https://www.lulu.com/shop/ricky-laws/house-of-the-messenger/paperback/product-m2mpyvj.html?page=1&pageSize=4

"House of the Messenger" is a meticulously crafted chronicle of the extraordinary efforts dedicated to the recovery, reconstruction, and restoration of the Joseph Greer Dogtrot log house in Lincoln County, Tennessee. This publication delves deeply into the historical significance of log houses during the early American period, exploring their construction techniques and their pivotal role in shaping the nation's development. It showcases the intricate reconstruction of the Joseph Greer House, offering readers a nuanced understanding of the broader historical context.

The narrative highlights the unique alignment between the Joseph Greer House and the need for a period log house at Camp Blount, Fayetteville, Tennessee, creating an extraordinary opportunity for preservation. The publication is dedicated to Bill Wendt and his preservation efforts, unfolding the initial stages of reclamation and the retrieval of the original, two-hundred-twenty-year-old house materials. Through a blend of written accounts and visually compelling photographs, the tremendous effort exerted in collecting the logs and materials for the preservation project is vividly portrayed. The book is very interesting for historians and useful for those looking at building a hewn log house/cabin.

Moreover, the narrative emphasizes the historic significance of the Joseph Greer House and its pivotal role in preserving Lincoln County's and Tennessee's heritage. The Camp Blount Historic Site Association collaborates with the Tennessee State Historic Commission to establish a lasting legacy for the Camp Blount Historical Site. The Joseph Greer Chapter of the Tennessee Society, Sons of the American Revolution (TNSSAR), shares their extensive research and labors, contributing to the broader narrative of our historical understanding.

05/24/2026

New Book.

Available Now!

03/29/2026

03/10/2026