Located approximately 3 miles west of Due West, Pratt’s Mill was the site of a Revolutionary War skirmish in October of 1781. Joseph Pratt owned this grist mill, which was situated on the Little River, and it was used as a Patriot outpost. Patriot Captain John Norwood and a contingent of his men were stationed at the mill, unaware that a surprise attack was about to be launched against them. Loyalist Colonel William “Bloody Bill” Cunningham and 30 other men, including both Loyalists and Cherokees, attacked Pratt’s Mill, setting it on fire and driving the Patriots out. In the confusion, Captain Norwood was wounded, and the Loyalists were able to take thirty of the Patriots’ horses. The mill itself was totally destroyed in the blaze, although the Patriots were able to escape. This event is commemorated with a historical marker with the GPS coordinates 34.306550N 82.440930W.
