USA > Kentucky > The history of Kentucky : including an account of the discovery, settlement, progressive improvement, political and military events, and present state of the country > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
M.
Gc 976.9 M35h v.1 826464
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
١
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02303 2482
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/historyofkentuck01mars
١
THE
INDIANA COLLECTION HISTORY OF KENTUCKY.
INCLUDING AN ACCOUNT OF THE
DISCOVERY-SETTLEMENT-PROGRESSIVE IMPROVEMENT-POLITICAL AND MI- LITARY EVENTS-AND PRESENT STATE OF THE COUNTRY.
IN TWO VOLUMES ..... VOL. I.
Br HUMPHREY MARSHALL.
FRANKFORT:
PRINTED BY HENRY GORE. 1812.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY, Sct.
BE it remembered, That on the 8th day of July, A. D. 1812, and in the thirty-seventh year of the Independence of the United States of America, HUMPHREY MARSHALL, of the said District, deposited in this office, the title of a Book, the right whereof he claims as author in the words and figures following, ( to wit )
" The History of Kentucky, including an account of the discovery-settlement-progressive improvement-political and military events-and present state of the country. In two volumes-vol. 1. Py Humphrey Marshall."
In conformity to the act of Congress of the United States, " entitled an act for the encouragement of learning, " by securing the copies of matis, charts, and books, to the au- " thors and proprietors of such copies, during the times " therein mentioned." And also to an act entitled " an act " supplementary to an act, entitled " an act for the " encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of " mans, charts and books, to the authors and proprietors of " such copies during the time therein mentioned." And ex- " tending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engrav- " ing, and etching, historical and other prints."
JOHN H. HANNA,
[L. S.] , Clerk of the District Court of the United States, ir. and for the District of Kentucky.
INTRODUCTION.
IT is now thirty-seven years since the first permanent sets Nements were made in Kentucky. Many of the early ad- venturers, and first inhabitants, have disappeared, by the or- dinary operations of nature, or the incidents of Indian hos- tility ; and others best acquainted with the origin, rise, and progress, of its improvement, verging fast to the silent grave. Facts, and circumstances, which may now be attested, by the living, in a few years, could only be reported upon the faith of tradition. It is always desirable, that the histori- an should be able to ascend to the sources of evidence, and thence to deduce his details. An important advantage, which a history of Kentucky, now written, will have over one that should be deferred for a number of years, is, that its narratives may be attested or corrected by, LIVING WIT- NESSES.
Being ourself a resident of Kentucky for more than thir- ty years, and having occasion to witness, or to be well informed of passing events ;- considering that it may be useful for the present, and future ages, to perpetuate the memory of the most important of those events, and not knowing that any other individual, with the same means of Information, has it in contemplation to write a history of Kentucky, we have determined, with our fecble, but best abilities, to firesent our countrymen with one, which may be characterised, topographical, biographical, and political. These topics are, it is believed, sufficiently copious to em- brace the great objects of history ; and to admit of all that variety, and detail, which constitute, the amusement, and the utility, of historical composition.
826464
There is not probably; any thing which more distinctly . marks the difference between savage, and civilized states, than the want, or possession of history. Mere savages, have no historical records-whule nations, the least civilized, seem to possess some. The desire of preserving memo- rials of interesting events, must be one of the most univer- sal emotions of the human heart ; since we are taught, to believe, that all nations in proportion to the information which they have acquired, and the means of display they possessed, have exhibited evidence's of its existence. Some in the knotting of a string ; some in the coarse painting, or rude sculpture, found in council houses, their places of wor- chip, on their warlike nstruments, or domestic utensils.
20 Y neta
INTRODUCTION.
Some have been seen to raise up huge piles of stones, des- titute of art ; some to rear simple pillars ; others to erect obelisks, towers, pyramids ; and (to denote subsequent, or less important events,) to inscribe on these hieroglyphic characters-the first rude essays, it is thought, in the art of writing.
The invention of alphabetical letters may well be consi- dered, as one of the most important events in the progress of the arts, were they only used in the composition of histo- ry : because they so far surpass in facility of composition, accuracy of delineation, and durability of existence (includ- ing the ease of renewal) all other modes of transmitting to futuro times, the memory of past events. Hence all nations who have learned the use of letters, have written histories.
The number, and species, of these histories, have been greatly multiplied, as letters have been more and more cul- tivated, and a freer expression of knowledge obtaincd, by the improvement of paper, and the invention of the print- ing-press.
History, to be useful, should be authentic. It should also preserve the series of the events, which it records-and it should record all those, which are susceptible of a moral, re- ligious, or political application.
To those who have been accustomed to read the histories of ancient, long existing, or great and populous states, or empires, the history of Kentucky for the space of thirty- seven yearsonly, may seem a subject equally unworthy ofthe author, and the reader. But when we reflect, that the little all of one man, is as dear to him, as the multiplied treasures of another ; we may reasonably expect that to the people of Kentucky, at least, the history of their own country, will be an object of no common interest, or faint solicitude.
How far the history about to be offered to them, will an- swer their expectations, meet their wishes, or gratify their love of country, will depend essentially on the materials em- ployed, as well as on the skill, and judgment of the work- man. When the author turns his attention to the ancient Republics of Greece, and of Rome, or contemplates the modern empires of the world, his mind is filled with a crowd of interesting, important, and brilliant figures; the mere investigation and display of which, would give anima- tion to genius, sublimity to thought, and eloquence to style.
Should he trace the revolutions of ancient states, and de- velope their causes ; should he single out the ambitious de» magogue, who from time, to time, deluded the credulous people, under the mask of patriotism, and the name of RE- PUBLICAN, and thence pursue him to the usurper, and the
5
INTRODUCTION.
despot, he would have full scope for moral reflection, and poinical admonition ; whue the picture made to glow with the most ardent passions of the human beart, could not fall to produce in the spectator, a coincidence of sensations, and emotions.
Again, when we review, the pride and pomp of authority, and the insolence of power, in the kings, aud emperors, of countries once free, and happy ; and comrast the present, with the former, state of the people ; the master with the slave ; indignation, pity, and contempt, successively take their turn ; and require but the simple delineation of a faithful pencil, to give interest to the portrait, and reputa- tion to the painter.
To this scene, add the sound of the trumpet-the parade of arms-the clangor of battle, and the triumph of victory- and you have subjects tor the historian and the poet, of themselves sufficiently affecting, and potent, to create tale ents, brighten genius, inspire the historian, and fire the épic muse.
But Kentucky ! brought forth in obscurity ; laped in simple industry ; raised up in peace, after a few predatory alarms, and simple invasions of savages ; · what has she la common with the countries, just reviewed ? what splendid subjects for history does her short period of existence dis- play ? How shall the historian fill his empty page ? How shall he'give interest to his narrative ? How shall he attract attention ? How reward his reader ?
Cease inconsiderate enquirer-nor think the field barren, which has produced an independent state, encircled in the American union. Deem not the subject destituto of inter- est, which involves the birth, and infancy, of a growing na-" tion, who may justly claim a high destiny in the federal galaxy of North American constellations. Nor has Kentucky, been without her wars, revolutions, conspiracies -- She toog has had her generals, statesmen, patriots -- and traitors ! ! !
The progress of improvement is here strongly marked -- the face of nature has been changed. The recent forest is now the cultivated field : the bark-hut, has given place to the elegant farm-house ; and many parts of bare creation, are now covered with populous towns. Here learning is encouraged ; science cultivated ; the useful arts cherished ; andlaborcrowned with plenty ; its best hope, and just reward.
Kentucky, has her moral, religious, and political charac- ter ; themes, equally worthy, the laborious investigation of the statesman, and the faithful record of the historian. These shall receive our most sedulous attention ; in the production of the following work.
PREFACE.
LAST of all, comes the preface-to tell why the author wrote his book-the manuscripts he has read, the docu- ments he has consulted-the writers he has followed, and the method he has pursued, in arranging his subjects. It is here also, he defies the rage, or invokes the mercy, of the critics.
Tous, the most of this is unnecessary. For we present the first history of Kentucky-and what is remarkable, it has neither note, reference, or errata. Not that it is the more perfect, or less authentic. on this account. As to its errors, we have seen them, & others will see them, without our aid ; on its authenticity, we build its moral and political utility. Will it be satisfactory to its readers ? If we thought it would be so to conspirators and intriguers, we would commit it to the Hames. That it will be favorably received, by honest, and liberal minds, we can but entertain a modest hope. The style, aud method, are our own ; and as to the critics, we care nothing about them. Never probably, was history written under circumstances more unfavorable ; never did we write two days successively -often have we laid by the sheet for weeks-and sometimes' sent it smoaking to the press. And what is more, if we had not written in this way, we should never have finished the book.
Should this volume be well received, it will enable us to write, and publish another, which will bring down the history to the time being.
It will be in our power to make that more perfect, as we shall have more command of our time and materials. This it may be said, is a very simple preface-and with a liko simplicity, we, offer the book to our countrymen.
THE AUTHOR.
July 8th 1812.
INDEX
Barnesborough-settled Besieged
16
28
29
48
Boone Daniel-visits Kentucky 9
Settles Boonefborough 16
His Biography 33
His advice at the Licks
163
Bullitt Thomas
Biographical sketch 74
Bird's expedition againft Rud-
dles and Martins 132
Bowman John-marches 100 men to Kentucky 30
his expedition, &c. 115
Brown John,
biographical fketch 316
bis conduct at New- York 336
his letter to Judge Muter 337
the letter examined 341
his conduct in convention 359
his letter difcuffed
363
Clark Geo. Rogers vifits Kentucky 21
Appointed Colonel 91
his conqueft of Kafkafkias 91-2
conquest of St. Vincents 95
his expedition to Pickaway 135
he builds Fort Jefferfon 137
znade a General 148 1
his expedition to Miami 170
expedition to Wabath 289
Counties-Kentucky 25
Jefferfon
136
Fayette
137
Lincoln
ib
Nelfon
230
Bourbon
281
Mercer 281
Commiffioners, to adujuft claims 122 138
to run ftate lins
Companies-Ohio Indiana Henderfon, &c.
Connolly Doctor,
vifits Kentucky, his object 388
Convention affemble 1788]
356
Proceedings 358
reject terms of feparation 394
Proceedings 395
Affemble-Separation 402
Proceedings 403
Lo2t Danville
227
its proceedings
230
another
242
cannot make a quorum
293
Affemble 313
it's proceedings
ibid
Affemble 323
Congrefs-íketch of proceed'gs 287 Refolve of 311
proceedinge on feparation 334
Proceedings 354
Conftitution Federal, offered &c, 322 Christian Colonel
biographical fketch ~~ his death 278 Douglafs Jas. vifits Kentucky 3
Diffiict court eftablifhed 182 Findley John firft in Kentucky 3 Floyd John, vifits Kentucky defeated-killed 140
Franklin Doctr. his character 180 G. Britain, new difputes with 193 Girty Simon-bis fpeech 158
his treatment of Kenton 219
Henderfon &c. their purchafe 15
Settle Bonnef borough 16
purchafe declared void 17
obtain 200,000 acres of land 19
Harrodi burgh fettled 20
Befieged 2%
Harrod's James biography
Indians defcribed
3
nicde of befieging 2 5.
invade Kentucky 160
Incidents of hoftility
317
39%
398
Innes Harry
hints at independent goverm't 30I approves of it 352
felects a man for Wilkinfon 353 Sketch of him ibid
receives a letter 400
Jay John- his negotiation 301
explained 307-8
Johnfon Colonel, Settles at Croflings 190
Kentucky-name & boundary vifited by John Findley 3
defcription 5
made a county 25
divided into three 136
ftate of fociety 149
idea of difunion 328
combatted 329.
Knox James, vifits Kentucky II
Kenton Simon -his biography 214. Kentucky Gazette publifhed 312
Logan Benjamin fettles his place 20 his Fort befieged 29
his biography 60
march to the Blue Licks 169
propofes a meeting at Danville 224 his expedition to Miami 292
Land Law 100
INDEX.
extracts from it warrants
106
I13
· commillioners
I22
their names
124
their fittings
124
their grants 325
Surveyor 127
Locations
130
Surveying progreffes
173
Specimens of antries
Linn Colonel-his death 177
139
Logan John -- his expedition
300
M'Afees-a Sketch 59
Montgomery, his ftation attacked 71
May George -made Surveyor 127
Marthall Thomas
vifits Kentucky 129
made Survevor
a member of convention
oppofed to confpirators appointed Receiver.
386
writes to Wafhingtor:
337
M'Gary Hugh, wounded 28
his conduct at the Licks 164
Muter Judge --- receives a letter combats difunion &c. 330
...
made president 4.02
Oldham Major, croffed the Ohio IIO
Ohio --- rapids described 73
Comoany
104
Prefident of United States
orders expedition
404
eftablith pofts 405
recommends admiffiion of Kentucky 406
Ray James-a sketch
56
Spotswood Governor
4.
Stewart John, firft white man Killed by the Indians in
: Kentucky 38
Surveyor's office opened 230
Scott General, his excurfiori ICS
Separation-firft act 260
==== fecond 296
Taylor Handcock,
vifits Kentucky 87
killed by Indians ibid
178
Treaties-preliminary definitive 187
at Fort Stanwix 272
at Fort M'Intofh ibid
at Hopewell
275
at fame place 276
at Muskingum 397
Todd Robert, his excurfion: 309
Virginia in conteft with Great- Britain 88
makes exertion to defend
the frontier 90
cedes N. W. territory 18 I
proceedings of executive 110 relinquifhes her protection 39% recommend to the prefident an expedition 397
Vergennes Count, his intrigue 180
Whiley Captain defeats the Indians 259
again
260
Wilkinson General
arrives at Lexington
a Sketch of him . 390-1
a member of comvention propagates difcontents 284
his speech in Lexington 285
determines to vifit Orleans 309 returns a Spanifh subject 319
elected to convention 333
his intrigue at Orleans 350
his memorial read 359
its contents 360
its object 362
offers a refolution 373
its object
374
elected to convention 333
HISTORY OF KENTUCKY.
*
CHAPTER I.
CONTENTS OF CHAPTER I.
-
Origin of the name-general description of the country- outline of the Indian character-visited by John Finley -first settlements by its present race of inhabitants-
A LONG, deep-channeled, and clifty river, having its head springs in the western spurs of the Cumberland Mountain, thence meandering as it best could find its way through an immense but elevated, undulated plane, in a north-west wardly direction, and called by the Indians Kan-tuc-kee ! with a strong emphasis, and which de- nominated the neighboring forest, has been converted into KENTUCKY ; and applied by its present race of inhabitants, to the country, whose history, we have un- dertaken to write.
This country extends from latitude thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes north of the equator, along the great river Mississippi, and the placid Ohio, on the westward ; and with the high and rugged top of the Cumberland
2
HISTORY OF
Mountain on the south-eastward ; as far as the Big Sandy River, which terminates its north-eastern boun- dary in its whole extent.
The exterior form of this extensive territory is reduci- ble to no mathematical definition ; its sides are unequal in length ; and its line of boundary exceedingly irregular. Its extreme points, east and west embrace seven degrees of longitude ; and its extent from south, to north, about two degrees, and forty minutes of latitude.
The superficial content of the country, is supposed to be fifty thousand square miles ; it lies within the fifth climate ; and its longest day is fourteen hours, and forty minutes of time. Its surface is sufficiently variegated, and abundantly channeled by streams, of water. The seasons are mild, and the atmosphere healthy. There are many hills, distinguished in consequence of their magnitude, and elevation, by the name of KNOBS. Other mountains, there are none, exclusive of those im- mediately connected with the great Cumberland Moun- tain.
Six large rivers, but of unequal size, traverse the country, having their sources towards the cast, and uniting with the Ohio, on the north-western boundary. These are, Licking, the Kentucky, Salt-River, Geeen- River, Cumberland, and Tennessee Rivers ; each 1 affording navigable water for boats to considerable, but uneven distances, from the Ohio.
Of the Cumberland River, KENTUCKY, claims both extremeties, but not the whole extent ; of Tennessee, only the lower part.
-
3
KENTUCKY.
This delightful country from time immemorial had been the resort of wild beasts, and of men, no less savage, when in the year 1767 it was visited by John Finley and .. a few wandering white men, from the British colony of North-Carolina ; allured to the wilderness, by the love of hunting, and the desire of trading with the Indians, who were then understood to be at peace. These were a race of men whose origin, lies buried in the most pro- found obscurity ; and who, notwithstanding their long intercourse with the European colonists, had not then arrived at the shepherd state of society ; of course not practiced in the arts of agriculture, or mechanics ; but dependent, on fishing, and hunting, by the men, and a scanty supply of maize, raised by the women, with im- perfect instruments, for subsistence. Their cloathing they derived from the skins of wild animals, and the scanty supply, of itinerant traders and pedlars ; who at times, resorted their towns. Sometimes at peace, but more generally at war, these Indians, however diversified by tribes, under one general characteristic, are active, vigilant, and enterprising, in their pursuits ; of a dark red complexion ; black hair, and eyes, straight limbs, and portly bodies ; equally crafty, or brave, as circum- stances require ; and remarkable for the sagacity of their conceptions, and the eloquence of their speech.
Besides the distance of this country from the populous parts of the colonies, the almost continual wars with the Indians, and the claim of the French to the regions of the Mississippi, and Ohio, had prevented, all attempts to explore it, by public authority.
4
HISTORY OF
While SPOTSWOOD, was Governor of Virginia, he seems to have taken mentally a comprehensive view of the vast plane lying between the Alleghany Mountains and the Mississippi, and to have recommended a plan for reducing it, into the possession of his Britannic Majesty. But in this, he was not supported by the Court. And the country remained as before, known only upon the English maps, as filling up certain degrees of latitude, and longitude, to a much later period.
After the commencement of the war of 1739, between Great-Britain and Spain, which soon involved the whole house of Bourbon ; the same Spotswood, who then lived in retirement in Virginia, was appointed to command, the colonial troops, and assured that his favorite project of occupying the regions of the Ohio, should be carried into immediate execution. In this enterprise he would have been warmly supported, by many of the Virginians, but his death which soon after took place, again retarded its accomplishment ; and the kindling spark of Virginian spirit for military enterprise, , was permitted to burn out, for want of fuel, which could alone be supplied by the mother country.
The war which afterwards took place between Great- Britain and France, about the year 1754 in America, carried many of the colonists to the upper waters of the Ohio ; and at the peace of 1763, the British crown was left in possession of Fort Pitt. But no attempts had yet been made to explore Kentucky, much less to occupy the country, So far from either, that settlements on the western waters were prohibited ; or restrained to the
5
KENTUCKY.
Ohio company ; who directed their views to the north- western parts of Virginia.
These circumstances, in connection with the known tardiness of the human mind, in familiarising itself with countries, " which the eye hath not seen," will satisfac- torily account for the ignorance which prevailed in Vir- ginia, relative to Kentucky, at the time it was in a manner discovered by Finley, and his party in 1767.
The country once seen, held out abundant induce- ments to be revisited and better known. Among the circumstances best adapted to engage the attention, and impress the feelings of the adventurous hunters from North-Carolina ; we select the uncommon fertility ofthe soil ; and the great abundance of wild game; so con- spicuous at that time in Kentucky. And we are assured that the effect, lost nothing of the cause. Forests those hunters had seen ; mountains they had ascended ; valleys they had traversed ; deer they had killed ; and bears, they had successfully hunted ; they had heard the howl of the wolf; the whine of the panther ; and the heart-rending yell of the savage man ; with correspondent sensations of delight, or horror : but these were lost to memory, in the contemplation of Kentucky-animated with all the en- chanting variety, and adorned with all the majestic grace and boldness of nature's creative energy. To nature's children, nature herself is eloquent ; never before had the feelings of these rude hunters, experienced so much of the pathetic, the sublime, or the marvellous. Their arrival on the plains of Elkhorn, was in the dawn of summer ; when the forests composed of oaks of various
HISTORY OF
kinds, of ash, of walnut, cherry, buckeye, hackberry, sugartree, locust, sycamore, coffee tree, and an indefinite number of other trees, towering aloft to the clouds, overspread the luxuriant undergrowth with their daily, shade ; while beneath the shrubs, the cane, the herbage, and the different kinds of grass, and clover, interspersed with flowers, overlaid the soil with the forest's richest covering. And the soil more fat and fertile than Egypt's boasted Delta, from her maternal bosom, gave copious nutriment, and in rich exhuberance, sustained the whole in matchless verdure. Here it was, if Pan ever existed, . that without the aid of fiction he held his sole dominion, and sylvan empire, unmolested by CERES, or LUCINA.
The proud face of created nature here presented itself, without a wound inflicted by the hand of art. No wood had been felled; no field cleared ; no human habitation raised ; even the red man of the forest had not put up his wigwam of poles and bark. But that mysterious being, whose productive power, we call nature, ever bountiful and great, had not spread out this luxuriant pasture, without stocking it with numerous herds and flocks : nor were their ferocious attendants, who prey upon them, wanting to fill up the circle of created beings. Here was seen the timid deer; the fleet elk ; the surly bear ; the crafty fox ; the ravenous wolf ; the devouring panther; the insidious wild-cat; and the haughty buffaloe : besides innumerable other creatures, winged, four-footed, or creeping. And here at some time un- known, had been, for his bones are yet here, the Leviathan of the forest, the monstrous MAMMOTH ;
KENTUCKY
whose trunk, like that of the famous Trojan horse, would have held an host of men ; and whose teeth, eleven feet in length, inflicted death and devastation on both animal and vegetable substances ; until exhausting all of each within its range, itself became extinct. Nor is it known, although the race must have abounded in the country, from the great number of bones found in different places, that there is one of the species living on the American continent, if in the universe.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.