James Montgomery was born in 1798 in Tennessee or Virginia. He fought with General Andrew Jackson’s forces against the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend on the Tallapoosa River in Alabama on March 27, 1814. He received the title of Major as a result of his service.
In 1824, Major James Montgomery moved to Hardin Co. TN. He landed his boat near the Lick ford on White Oak Creek, and settled with his family on a spot one-half mile north-west of Shady Grove Church. Some time during 1824, he built a mill on the west side of the river. Jesse W. Holland erected a tanyard near by.
Not much more is known about Major James Montgomery. His descendants include legislators, doctors, merchants, blacksmiths and farmers in Hardin and Henderson County Tennessee.
It is not known how Major Montgomery relates to the Montgomery’s of Decatur County Tennessee. James Montgomery moved to Hardin County about the same time that David Montgomery moved to Decatur County . They lived within about 5 miles of each other in these adjoining counties. It is quite possible that they are related.