David's father, Andrew, Sr., gave (or sold) to David some land in Rowan (now Davidson) County that was located between the Morgan's & Parr's on the waters of Hodges Fork of the Uwharrie.
In preparation for his exodus he sold his land - 16 September 1808 - David Fouts to Benjamin Fry, 155+ acres on waters of Uhary,bounding Arthur Parr, William Hughes & David Fouts by Andrew Fouts, Sr.../s/David Fouts. Wit: E. Morgan, James Hughes. (Rowan Deeds 2:454 & 457) Soon thereafter, David moved to Clark County, Indiana, in the company with his Parr relatives; also, brother Noah and his Wright relatives (present day Washington County).
Indiana Territory was organized in 1800 and the first section was in the extreme southern end, with Knox as the original county. Clark was created from Knox the following year in 1801 and covered a large area consisting of ten or more present day counties. Clark was divided in 1808 to form Harrison County. The Indiana Territory Land Office opened 1 May 1808 in Jeffersonville in Clark county.
No sooner did the Fouts arrive in Indiana Territory, when they were caught up in a set of circumstances that had it's beginning thousands of miles away. For a number of years the French and British had been engaged in a War on the high seas. Throughout President Thomas Jefferson's eight years in office, our new Republic had endeavored to remain neutral. However, both warring countries greatly hindered our commerce abroad, stopping and searching our ships, while the British removed any seamen they believed to be British subjects. James Madison became President in 1809 and, walking in the footsteps of Jefferson, sought to solve the foreign problem by methods that avoided war. On land no less than on the sea, the British were belligerent towards the United States. They protected the Indian Chief, Tecumseh, who was terrifying the frontier by his forays on white settlements. Also, the Indians were supported by the French fur-trading interests that centered at Quebec. As the preying on American commerce continued, events seemed to take affairs out of President Madison's control and eventually War was declared on the British in 1812.
The early settlers in the Indiana Territory, on the outlying edge of our frontier, was caught up in this Indian trouble, and their only resource was to form local Militia's to protect their homes and lives. Many settlers retreated South and off the Frontier for the duration of the war (1812-1815). The Wright's crossed the Ohio river and stayed with the Sears family on the Kentucky shore. Others remained, taking their places in the defence of their homes and nation. Among these were David & Noah Fouts, who were commissioned on 21 March 1809 in the Clark County Militia. (Baird's "History of Clark County, Indiana"; also, on the list compiled by the Indiana State Library.) A military "commission" indicated that you were accepting military responsibility and held a Grovener Commission, while every male 16 - 60 was a member of the militia.
David Fouts, "a resident of Indiana" made his first Entry SW1/4Q S6 T2N R5E Entry No. 333, 22 December 1809.
David was a Deacon & Secretary of Upper Blue River Baptist Church called "Sharon". Following a little difficulty with the Parr family, he resigned. David's second wife, Lavina Tadlock, was born in 1815 and died 1855. David's first child was born in 1800 and his last child was born in 1850 -- quite a man was David!
Source: 5 Generations of the Pfautz - Fouts Family
Compiled by Audrey L. Woodruff, C.G.R.S., 1987
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