Cumberland Furnace-- Part 2: Montgomery Bell's Ironworks

The Highland Rim around Nashville and area was found to have abundant iron ore deposits, so locating in the area was a natural choice.

In 1793, General James Robertson and William Sheppard purchased 640 acres from James Campbell, a private in North Carolina's Continental Line during the American Revolution.  They erected a furnace for an ironworks.

It was in operation by 1796.  In 1804, Montgomery Bell of Chester, Pennsylvania, bought the furnace for $16,000 and built a second furnace and by 1812 had a contract to furnish the U.S. government with cannon shot, gunpowder and whiskey.  (Not sure what the whiskey had to do with the ironworks.  It must have been a side business for Bell.)

During the War of 1812, Montgomery Bell became the chief supplier of heavy armaments for both the Navy and Andrew Jackson's army.

--Brock-Perry