Sit a Spell // History // Museums & Historic Places
Clarke CountySouthwest Alabama
About
The story of Fort Sinquefield is a harrowing account of the Creek War of 1813-14 in Clarke County. Settlers were nervous after the Massacre on Fort Mims and began to take refuge in the many forts scattered throughout the county. On September 1, 1813, Creek warriors led an attack on the families of Ranson Kimbell and Abner James, scalping the women and children and plundering their home. The next day, the dead were retrieved and buried outside the fort, where the Creeks attacked once again, but the women were saved by Isaac Hayden's plan to release all of the dogs inside the fort. One woman, Sarah Phillips, was killed. The Creeks and settlers engaged in two hours of fighting before the Creeks retreated and the fort was abandoned, with the survivors heading to Fort Madison.
The Creek Nation had joined a loose agreement with the British during the War of 1812, which aimed to recover their lost land and drive out white settlers if the British were victorious. The settlers' lives in Clarke County were tumultuous as they tried to defend themselves against the Creek warriors' attacks. The story of Fort Sinquefield is a tragic reminder of the violence and loss that occurred during this period of American history.
