USA > Kentucky > Madison County > Glimpses of historic Madison County, Kentucky > Part 3
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On March 17, 1775, at Sycamore Shoals on the Watauga River, Richard Henderson and his associates purchased nearly 20,000,000 acres of land from the Cherokee Indians for merchandise worth about $50,000. Approximately two-thirds of the purchase was en- closed by the Kentucky, Ohio, and Cumberland rivers. The re- mainder lay south of the Cumberland. The area thus acquired was named Transylvania, and plans were hastened to settle it and obtain its recognition as a new English colony. Daniel Boone was engaged as early as March 10, 1775, to cut a trail to, and establish a settlement on, the Kentucky River, a task which he soon ac- complished. By the middle of June, 1775, a fort was completed in what is now Madison County, and a town begun, which Virginia incorporated as Boonesborough, in October, 1779.
Richard Henderson arrived at the settlement on April 20, 1775, and soon issued a call for a convention to organize a government for the Colony of Transylvania. On May 23 seventeen delegates, representing Boonesborough, Harrodstown, St. Asaph, and Boiling Spring, assembled under a great elm near Sycamore Hollow and Fort Boone, and in a four-day session enacted nine laws and
1
From a bronze tablet by George H. Honig illustrating Judge Richard Henderson addressing the convention (see p. 16) which made a constitution and enacted nine laws for the Transylvania Colony. The government was to be proprietary. The proprietors were to appoint all important officials, like judges and sheriffs. The legislature was to consist of three branches, to wit: ". .. representatives chosen by the people; a council not exceeding twelve men [possessing land] .. . .; and the proprietors," one of whom might be authorized to act
for all. The nine laws provided (1) "for establishing courts of jurisdiction and regulating the practice thereof"; (2) "for regulating a militia"; (3) "for the punishment of criminals"; (4) "to prevent profane swearing and Sabbath breaking"; (5) "for writs of attachment"; (6) "for ascertaining clerks' and sheriffs' fees"; (7) "to preserve the range"; (8) "for improving the breed of horses"; (9) "for preserving game." Daniel Boone sponsored the last three. See Collins, History of Kentucky (1874) pp. 501-8.
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agreed upon a form of government. By the close of the summer of 1775 town lots had been laid out, a land office opened, a general store set up, and other activities necessary in a frontier community encouraged.
On September 25, 1775, the proprietors of the Transylvania Com- pany elected James Hogg to carry a petition to the Continental Congress, at Philadelphia, for the recognition of Transylvania as a member of the United Colonies. But this colonization scheme was doomed to failure. The authorities of Virginia frowned upon it, the Cherokees were declared to have no power to transfer the land, and the proprietors were "charged with republican innova- tions and Utopian schemes." Furthermore, news came from Transyl- vania settlers declaring their dissatisfaction with the Company's land policy. The Congress, therefore, did not recognize Transyl- vania. Harrodstown (later called Harrodsburg) under the leader- ship of George Rogers Clark, became the center of opposition to the pretensions of the Company, and in December, 1776, Virginia created the County of Kentucky, thereby extending her authority over that part of the Cherokee grant now in Kentucky. The first court of Kentucky County was held at Harrodstown on September 2, 1777.
This abortive colonial enterprise, however, was a great asset to the expansive revolutionary program of the Americans. It en- couraged a considerable emigration to Kentucky, and the fort at Boonesborough rendered the greatest protection to the settlements south of the Ohio. Had the fort not withstood the long siege of September, 1778, the Indians and British would most likely have wiped out the other settlements in Kentucky and frustrated Clark in his attempt to hold the Illinois Country.
This singular service in itself justifies the recognition of the colonial efforts of Henderson and his colleagues in founding Boonesborough as a major service in the building of our Nation. Had there been no Transylvania Company, there would have been no Boonesborough, and that might have meant the defeat of George Rogers Clark and the probable loss of the Northwest Ter- ritory in the Treaty of 1783.
In 1935, the "Transylvanians," an organization existing to com- memorate the founding of the Transylvania Colony, held a bicen- tennial celebration at Boonesborough. Dr. Archibald Henderson,
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great-grandson of Judge Richard Henderson, was the moving spirit of the celebration. The four tablets on the monument which the historical group erected on the site of the great historical elm contain the information. (See page 281. )
A BOONESBOROUGH ROMANCE
The most romantic event of early pioneer Kentucky took place near the Boonesborough settlement about the middle of July, 1776. Late Sunday afternoon, the fourteenth, Elizabeth and Frances, the daughters of Colonel Richard Callaway, and Jemima, the daughter of Captain Daniel Boone, were canoeing on the Kentucky River just below the town. Elizabeth was a little less than sixteen years old, while the other two girls were not more than fourteen. The three girls steered their canoe toward the side to gather flowers. .. . While the canoe was near the shore, an Indian came suddenly out of the canebreak and began to push it toward the land. At first the girls thought he was a Negro slave, who had recently run away from the settlement. One of the Callaway girls tried to jump into the water, but was prevented; while her sister fought the captor unsuccessfully with her paddle. Four other Indians now quickly appeared, and the girls were immediately taken ashore and the boat set adrift. The cries and shrieks of the girls were hushed by threats of flourished knives and tomahawks. Jemima, who had an injured foot, refused to proceed with her savage kidnapers until she was threatened with death and she was provided with moc- casins. The clothing of the three was cut off at their knees to facilitate their walking through the woods.
The cliff-like hill was climbed with difficulty, but the party made swifter progress when it reached the more even ground beyond. As they went along the young captives made shrewd use of every available means to mark their trail for the benefit of their rescuers, who were sure to follow. ... When the captors observed these maneuvers, they shook their tomahawks over the heads of the girls, caught them by their hair, drew a knife around their throats, and threatened to scalp them if they continued their efforts.
On the other hand the Indians, who consisted of three Shawnees and two Cherokees, took every precaution to deceive their pursuers and prevent rapid following. ... By night-fall they had gone six
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or eight miles, when they made their camp within three miles of the present town of Winchester. . .
Early Monday forenoon they came upon a pony, which the Indians had left tied or was a stray. The captors wanted the girls to ride, particularly Jemima on account of her injured foot. The former thus hoped to secure more speed, but their captives were equally cunning. When the girls were placed on the back of the pony, they tickled him in the flanks with their feet. This caused him to rear, then the riders would tumble off, which meant a loss of time. ... The kidnapers soon realized that the pony ridden in this manner was a hindrance to progress and abandoned him.
Whether the screams of the captured girls were heard in the town or the story of the capture was told by the little girls left on the south river bank is not definitely known. But not long after the capture Callaway and Boone got together a party of men for pursuit. Among this number were Samuel Henderson, who was engaged to be married to Elizabeth Callaway within a short time, [and] John Holder and Flanders Callaway, who were lovers respectively of Fannie Callaway and Jemima Boone.
Only one canoe was available-the one the Indians had sent adrift-and the rescue party had to wait until John Guess could swim over the river and bring it back. ... By this time the sun was only half an hour high. Daniel Boone with five others ... now crossed the river, while Colonel Callaway, Captain Nathaniel Hart, Captain David Guess, Flanders Callaway, and five or six others, rode a mile down the riverside and forded the river. In a little while the two parties were joined and the trail of the Indians found. On Boone's advice it was decided that his footmen should follow the trail, while Callaway and his horsemen should go by path to the Lower Blue Licks to cut off the retreat of the kidnapers. The first group followed the trail for about five miles before being forced by darkness to strike camp. They camped at an unfinished cabin, which was being bult by nine men.
Early Monday morning they resumed their pursuit. They were joined by three of the cabin-builders-John McMillen, William Bush and John Martin. Soon they came upon the spot where the Indians and girls had camped the night before. In spite of the useful signs of broken twigs, torn clothing, and shoe prints left by the girls, the pursuers had great difficulty in detecting the trail.
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Following up each of the several diverse trails purposely made by the Indians caused delay. Boone's superior knowledge of Indian habits and trickery served his party well. He soon discovered that the pursued group was making better progress than his own and advised that the latter leave the trail and pursue a straight course toward the Scioto River for two reasons: first, their passage would be more speedy; and, secondly, he feared if they continued to follow the trail, they would be seen by the rear guard of the captors first, and the captives be put to death rather than permitted to be retaken. Boone's proposal was adopted. The pursuing party fre- quently crossed the trail. Its progress was now more rapid; it made about thirty miles that day, passing close to the present towns of Winchester, North Middletown and Carlisle. At dawn Tuesday morning it resumed its course. By ten o'clock it came to Hinkson's Fork of Licking. When it crossed this the members of the party observed that the tracks of the pursued were fresh and the stream still muddy where these had crossed. Boone now counselled that the kidnapers had by this time become less cautious and that the whites might again follow the trail, which they did.
In the meantime the girls were experiencing alternately hope and despair. Jemima and Fannie were crying most of the time, but Betsy was more courageous and tried to cheer them with the certainty of rescue. Throughout Monday the Indians did not halt to cook any food, for fear that a fire might reveal them to the whites, but gave the girls dried venison and smoked buffalo tongue. . .. As also was the almost universal custom of the Indian race, the captors attempted no improprieties with their female captives. Just as Boone had predicted the savages became more careless on Tuesday morning, and grew bold enough to kill a buffalo, from which they cut a choice portion. ... They quickly built a fire, and soon were roasting their meat and eating at the same time, with their weapons laid aside. The girls were sitting tied, the two younger ones with their heads in the lap of Betsy, who was trying to console them by telling them that their lovers would rescue them. Soon after they had crossed Hinkson the members of Boone's party entered the Great Warriors' Path, which they pursued inter- mittently, just as the Indians had followed now the Path, now a buffalo trace, to elude the whites. Having gone eight or nine miles they came upon the slaughtered buffalo. A little later as the party
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came to a small stream the trail disappeared, and again Boone rightly conjectured that the Indians and their captives had waded in the water for some distance to deceive their followers, and that they were now preparing their meal. As they rapidly approached the vicinity where the Indians were secluded, the whites divided into two groups and proceeded cautiously. The Indian sentinel had left his post to light his pipe at the fire. In the thick cane the pursuers got within thirty yards, or less, of the enemy and saw them first. Although forbidden to do so, the foremost white fired at the Indians without waiting for his companions to come up. His aim was poor, but Boone and Floyd came up almost instantly and fired, each mortally wounding an Indian. Fannie and Jemima were watching a large Indian called "Big Jimmy" spitting meat. When Jemima saw the blood spurt from his breast and heard the gun-fire, she cried "That's Daddy's gun." "Big Jimmy" grasped his side and ran away half bent. His companions followed, leaving practically everything except one gun. One of them, as he ran, flung his tomahawk at Betsy's head, which it barely missed. The whites rushed in quickly with a low yell. Betsy, who was a decided brunette and whose color was still further enhanced by fatigue and exposure, was mistaken by one of the men for an Indian. He raised his gun and was about to strike her with the butt of it, when his arm was arrested by Boone ... .
The party gathered the plunder left by the savages and returned joyfully toward Boonesborough. Just before reaching the Kentucky River it was joined by Colonel Callaway's group of horsemen, who had crossed the trail of the retreating Indians, and, concluding that the girls had been rescued, returned to Boonesborough. During the month of August Samuel Henderson and Elizabeth Callaway were married, and in the following year marriages also took place between Frances Callaway and Colonel Holder, and Jemima Boone and Flanders Callaway. (Verbatim from W. S. Lester's The Transyl- vania Colony, published in 1935, pp. 163-170, based upon The Draper Manuscripts. )
THE SIEGE OF BOONESBOROUGH IN 1778
Colonel George Rogers Clarke, who had been sent out from Virginia, with a regiment of soldiers, to defend the Western Coun-
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try, believing Kentucky to be less exposed at that time than many other places, had gone to Indiana and Illinois, and had taken with him not only the regular troops, but a number of the most active and enterprising young men from Kentucky. [Major William B.] Smith was left to defend this part of the country, and was ordered to be particularly attentive to the protection of Boonesborough, which was the earliest [sic], and at that time, the most important, settlement in Kentucky. He repaired therefore to that post, and with much labour and fatigue rebuilt the fort.
Learning, however, from some prisoners, who had escaped, that the Indians were about to anticipate their movements, and unexpect- edly to attack them on their own ground, he left about twenty youth to defend the fort, and marched with thirty of his most active men, towards the Shawnee towns. When they reached the Blue Licks, eleven of the number, being anxious for their families whom they had left behind, and considering the force too small to accomplish the object in view, resolved to abandon the enterprise, and return to the fort. The other nineteen, not discouragd by the irresolution of their companions, but rather animated by the reflection that the glory of success would be increased by the diminution of their number heroically persevered. When they reached the mouth of Licking, they were compelled to build rafts, upon which to cross the Ohio. Having then painted their faces, and assumed the dis- guise of savages, they advanced toward the Indian towns, and had arrived within about twenty five miles of their destination, when they met a party of nearly two hundred and fifty Indians, principally on horseback, going to make an attack upon the settlements in Kentucky.
Major Smith and his men had the good fortune to see this formidable party, before they were themselves observed, but, instead of instantly endeavoring to make good their retreat, they fired, and killed two of the enemy who were mounted. This un- expected attack alarmed the Indians, and, without stopping to examine the number or strength of their assailants, they precipi- tately retreated. The heroic adventures, flushed by their success, advanced and repeated their fire. The savages however at length recovered their self-possession and after deliberately holding a council of war, resolved to turn upon their pursurers, of whose character and design, in consequence of their disguise, they were
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probably ignorant. Meantime, Major Smith, perceiving the im- minent hazard to which he and his little army were exposed, ad- vised a retreat, and before the Indians had concluded their council, they had advanced too far to be easily overtaken, and in the course of that night and the next morning, all arrived safe at Boones- borough.
About an hour after the last of their number had entered the fort, not less than six hundred Indians, in three divisions of about two hundred each, appeared with colours, and took their stations on different sides of the fort. It was deemed prudent not to fire upon them until they should commence the attack. Their first step however was to send a flag with a request that the com- mander of the fort would come out and treat with them. A council was held, and it was at first determined, contrary to the opinion of Major Smith, not to comply with the request. They sent however a second time, stating that they had letters from Detroit for the commanding officer, and it was then resolved that Major Smith and Colonel Daniel Boone should venture out and hear what they had to say.
Three chiefs met them with great parade about fifty yards from the fort, conducting them to the spot designated for their consultation, and spread a panther skin for their seat, while two other Indians held bushes over their heads to protect them from the sun. Here the chief addressed them for about five minutes assuring them of the most friendly disposition, and a part of the men grounded their arms, and advanced to shake hands with them. The chief then produced a letter and proclamation from Governor Hamilton at Detroit, proposing to them the most favorable terms, if they would remove thither.
Major Smith replied that the proposition was a kind one, but that it was impossible to effect the removal of all their women and children. The Indian assured him that that was no obstacle, as he had brought forty horses for their accommodation. After a long and apparently friendly consultation, during which they smoked together, and the Indians gave assurances that they had abstained from killing hogs and cattle, from a wish not to offend the whites, Major Smith and Colonel Boone returned to make known the proposals, and to consult upon the course to be pursued. On their return, they were accompanied by twenty
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Indians, as far as the limits beyond which it was agrecd they should not go. Smith then called together all the men, who were within the fort, read to them the letter and enquired what was to be donc. They asked his opinion, and he frankly told them, that the only course he considered judicious and safe, was to decline the terms proposed and to resolve to defend the fort against any attack that might be made. The Indians had no cannon, and there was plenty of ammunition within the fort, so that he conceived there was little danger to be apprehended in the result. His counsel was approved and the course resolved on.
In a short time the Indian sent another flag, in order, as they said, to ascertain the result of the consultation within the fort. Major Smith sent them word, that he had told them all he could say on the subject, but if they wished to hold a treaty, as it is called, they must come forward, and a place would be selected for the purpose. Thirty chiefs came forward accordingly, but could not be induced to approach within less than eighty yards of the fort. Major Smith, Colonel Boone, and four men went out to meet them, and con- tinued in close conference with them upwards of two days, and a treaty was at last agreed upon, with the condition that neither party should cross the Ohio, till it was regularly ratified by the authority of the state. This, Major Smith considered as a deception, as he placed no confidence in the negotiators.
On the third day of the conference, which was the 9th day of September, 1778, when the treaty was prepared for signature, the old chief, who seemed to regulate all the proceedings, stepped aside to speak to some young men at a distance, observing that he would return shortly and sign the treaty. On his return Major Smith re- marked that he had substituted young warriors for some of the older men around the council board, and enquiring the cause, the chief assured him that the change had been made to gratify some of the young men, who wished to be present on the occasion. It was then proposed to shake hands, and as Major Smith arose for the purpose two Indians seized him behind. Previously to his leaving the fort, the major suspecting some treacherous design, had placed twenty five men in a bastion, with orders to fire unhesitatingly at the council, so soon as any violence should be attempted by them. The instant he was seized, about six guns were discharged by the Indians in the neighborhood and the fire was promptly returned by
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the men in the bastion. Major Smith, who was then liberated from the grasp of his first assailants, attempted to seize the man, with whom he had been in the act of shaking hands, but just then a ball from the fort mortally wounding the savage, he fell, and Major Smith upon him.
A scene of terrible confusion ensued. The firing was kept up with vehemence on both sides. Colonel Boone was slightly wounded, and as an uplifted tomahawk was just about for the second time to fall upon his head, he dexterously avoided it, and Major Smith, who was that instant passing rapidly by, on his way to the fort, received the blow, the force of which however being almost spent, it did not inflict a very violent wound. All the whites then fled with the utmost possible expedition to the fort, and the Indians continued firing at them as they ran. They all reached the fort however without re- ceiving any fatal wound. The firing continued on both sides without intermission, from early in the morning till dark.
The Indians then procured a quantity of faggots, to which they set fire, and threw them thus lighted upon the houses and into the fort, but as those within were provided with machinery for throwing water they were enabled to extinguish the faggots as they fell. Finding their efforts to destroy the fort in this way unsuccessful, the savages returned again to their arms, and kept up a brisk fire with musketry, with but little intermission, for three days. On the morning of the third day, Major Smith dis- covered them digging a mine, in order to make a way, under the walls, into the fort. To defeat this object, he cut a hole under his kitchen, through which he went out, and dug a ditch between them and the wall, in a spot completely within the command of the guns of the fort. Before they reached the ditch however, the mine fell in, and all their labor was lost. They then again returned to their fire arms, and poured continual volleys against the fort, without reach- ing however the persons within.
During this firing, which continued, in all, about eight days, they repeatedly called to Major Smith to surrender, and promised, in that event, to treat him and his companions with the utmost humanity and kindness. But, notwithstanding their perseverance was not a little alarming, it was unanimously concluded not to surrender, but to await the event with fortitude and resolution. On the morning of the 17th of September, the ninth day from the
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commencement of the siege, the Indians killed a number of the cattle belonging to the fort, and in the course of that day, they made their retreat.
This siege proved a serious affair to the Indians, who lost about two hundred killed, besides a great number wounded. The whites, on the contrary, being protected by the fort, behind which they could remain in almost perfect safety, while they deliberately picked off their assailants, lost only two killed, and six wounded.
The escape of Smith, Boone, and their companions, who at- tended the Indian council, was indeed almost miraculous; and can only be accounted for by the confusion into which the Indians were thrown by the prompt, unexpected, and destructive fire, which was poured in upon them from the men stationed by Smith in the bastion. Two of the savages who first seized him, were almost instantaneously killed, and the wonderful accuracy of the marks- men avoided him although in close contact with them. The rest, seeing their comrades thus unexpectedly fall, had not presence of mind sufficient to prevent the escape of their intended prisoners, who, regardless of everything but flight, made their way, amidst the confusion which reigned around them, with but little injury, to the fort. Verbatim, Major Smith's account, William Chenault Papers.
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