He settled on the Catawba River and operated a ferry to transport people across to the north shore of the Catawba. Samuel Oxford settled on the west side of the Catawba River opposite Barrett’s Mountain where he received a 300 acre land grant from Governor Tryon. Colonial records reflect that Samuel Oxford provided food for the families of the Catawba Indians that fought for the English in the French and Indian War. Samuel Oxford died about 1811. Rumor had it that Oxford buried at least a peck of gold and silver coins in a place near his home before his death and told no one of the location.