Fort Cumming

 (1838-1838) - A Trail of Tears Cherokee removal fort first established in 1838 in Lafayette, Walker County, Georgia. Named Fort Cumming after Rev. David B. Cumming, Methodist minister and missionary to the Cherokees. Abandoned in 1838.

History of Fort Cumming
Established in 1838 by Captain Samuel Fariss and a company of Georgia volunteers who guarded captured Cherokee Indians here before their removal to the Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). Some 469 captured Cherokee Indians were escorted from Fort Cumming to Ross's Landing about 9 Jun 1838 to begin the journey. Records indicate that by May 1838 the post included a stockade, stables and perhaps barracks for the troops.

Note: some sources give start dates as early as 1836 but the NPS study of the site indicates that references to "Fort Cumming" begin on 11 May 1838 while prior records refer to "Lafayette".

This post abandoned about July 1838.

Current Status
Marker only in Lafayette, Walker County, Georgia.

See Also:
 * Trail of Tears Forts

Sources:
 * , page 219

Links:
 * North American Forts - Fort Cumming
 * NPS - Cherokee Removal From Georgia
 * Fort Cumming Marker