Edmund Sams

"...was one of the settlers who came from Watauga.  He lived first at the Smith Bridge [in Asheville] and later, on the western side of the French Broad River, on that place later known as the Gaston place, about one mile...above the mouth of the Swannanoa.  He had been in early life, an Indian fighter.  On one occasion when in search of some Indian depredators, he was passing through the woods with...his friend, he heard a gun fire very near, and turning saw that his friend had received a death wound....he quickly placed his gun to his shoulder and called to his dying companion, "Where is he?" The friend replied, "Why, Edmund, it was your gun."  This proved to be correct.  His gun carried on his shoulder had been discharged by accident, and had killed his friend behind him.  This event saddened the entire after life of Mr. Sams. (1922. Sondley, F. A. Asheville and Buncombe County, p. 95.)

"Later [Sams] was engaged as a soldier on the American side in the Revolutionary War and was a captain.  When the County of Buncombe was organized, he was elected its first coroner.  Afterwards he served as a member of the County Court.  He was for many years a trustee of Newton Academy. (1922. Sondley, F. A. Asheville and Buncombe County, p.95.)