The North Carolina Legislature, in 1783, passed an act giving Henderson two hundred thousand acres, and appointed Joseph Martin Indian agent, arranged for a treaty with the Cherokees, and provided that any good men should be allowed to trade with the Indians.] Abingdon was a typical little frontier town of the class that immediately succeeded the stockaded hamlets.

A public square had been laid out, round which, and down the straggling main street, the few buildings were scattered; all were of logs, from the court house and small jail down.

There were three or four taverns.

The two best were respectively houses of entertainment for those who were fond of their brandy, and for the temperate.

There were a blacksmith shop and a couple of stores.