Gate City in Scott County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Faris (Ferris) Station
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 17, 2015
1. Faris (Ferris) Station Marker
Inscription.
Faris (Ferris) Station. . About two miles east of Moccasin Gap, Elisha Faris (Ferris) in 1787 obtained 116 acres on both sides of the Moccasin Creek. He and his family settled in the area about 1782 and their home became a stop on the Wilderness Road. On 26 Aug. 1791, Bob Benge, also known as “Chief Benge” and “Capt. Bench,” and other Native Americans raided the Faris property and killed Elisha Faris, his wife, and a couple other family members. Benge conducted raids in the region and other neighboring states during an extended period of conflict in response to attacks on Cherokee communities in the South.
About two miles east of Moccasin Gap,
Elisha
Faris (Ferris) in 1787 obtained 116 acres on
both sides of the Moccasin Creek. He and his
family settled in the area about 1782 and
their home became a stop on the Wilderness
Road. On 26 Aug. 1791, Bob Benge, also known
as “Chief Benge” and “Capt. Bench,” and other
Native Americans raided the Faris property and
killed Elisha Faris, his wife, and a couple other
family members. Benge conducted raids in the
region and other neighboring states during an
extended period of conflict in response to attacks on Cherokee communities in the South.
Erected 2004 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-12.)
Location. 36° 38.313′ N, 82° 34.216′ W. Marker is in Gate City, Virginia, in Scott County. Marker is on Kane Street (Business U.S. 58) east of Jones Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 295 Kane St, Gate City VA 24251, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gate City (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct
More about this marker. A 1931 marker with this number but simply titled “Faris Station” stood at the intersection of Kane and Jackson Streets in Gate City until at least 1994. It read “Near by stood the home and tavern of Elisha Faris, an early station on the Boone trail to Kentucky. Indians led by Chief Benge here massacred members of the Faris family in 1791.”
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 17, 2015
2. Faris (Ferris) Station Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 25, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 794 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 25, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
