Jacob Beeler Musket at King's Mountain Museum
There have been a number of false claims posted on public sites about the Jacob Beeler long gun on display at the King's Mountain National Military Park Visitor's Center, Blacksburg, South Carolina.
The Jacob Beeler flintlock long gun on display in the King’s Mountain National Military Park Museum Visitor’s Center was owned by Jacob Beeler 1761-1842 and carried in the action of 7 October 1780. The museum has access to several long guns that belonged to John Valentine Beeler 1737-1823 and his sons. The weapon’s provenance is known and it is displayed by the National Park Service as a relic of the engagement.
The one currently on display is Dutch and was brought to North Carolina Territory by John Valentine Beeler in 1770. He gave it to his son Jacob Beeler 1761-1842.
The weapons and memorabilia have been in the possession of a distinguished Knoxville family for many years. The Creekmores descend from Grainger County Beelers, the John Valentine Beeler family. The Beeler name displayed in the foyer of the King’s Mountain National Military Park Visitor’s Center refers to the John Valentine Beeler family.
Discussions with the owner in March of this year confirm that the weapon on display at the King's Mountain Museum is his and has absolutely nothing to do with a Jacob Beeler 1750-1843 or any of his family.
Another widely circulated photograph of this same Judge Creekmore with weapons and memorabilia "Beeler Boys at King's Mountain" has been falsely annotated. The "John and Jacob" that is visible on the banner in the photograph means John Valentine Beeler 1737-1823 and Jacob Beeler 1761-1842. There is nothing incorrect about it at all.
The Judge's memorabilia has nothing to do with a Jacob Beeler 1750-1843 and Joseph Beeler 1744-1833 or their family. Those commenting about this collection, and any photographs of it, should afford the decency of a proper recognition of the artifacts