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Settlers of Fort Boonesborough
In front of the main entrance to the Fort is a large grey granite monument. It was placed there to commemorate the early settlers and the founding by Daniel Boone of the second community in the state. The names carved on the monument are those of whom records exist, placing those people in the Fort between 1775 and 1830. In that time, many settlers came and went, some returning to previous homes, others were killed by the Indians or the British and some just succumbed to the hard work and lonliness.
Others of course, survived the wilderness, some prospered and some moved on to other homes in other places.
Carved on the monument at the main entrance to this state park are McGuire family names and members we have seen at Blue Lick Springs and read about in the folk literature of the time and its history. Other grandparents and relatives are listed as well. Here are our ancestors which lived or were at the fort during its heyday.
Lt. James McGuire-Killed 8-19-1782 at Blue Lick Springs
Margaret Black McGuire-Wife of Lt. James McGuire
Archibald McGuire-Youngest son of James & Margaret, born 6-30-1779 in the Fort
Ambrose Coffee
Joseph Davis
John Davis
Samuel Davis
Simon Kenton
Col. John Todd
Elder Daniel Williams
John T. Williams (born in Fort)
John Anderson
In addition to those listed above, who we know to be related, others by the name of Black, Russell, Davis, and Williams are listed in the book.
Simon Kenton
Great Uncle Simon Kenton did not come to Kentucky as a surveyor or land hunter, but as a pure backwoodsman he was almost without peer. As a huntsman, Indian fighter, scout or spy, he was never excelled. Even Daniel Boone owed his life to Simon Kenton.
One day, Boone decided to chase some Indians away from the Fort who had been harrassing the settlers. He took about 15 men with him and they set out to pursue and drive the Indians away. No sooner than they had travelled a hundred yards from the gate, did they realize that there were more than 50 armed Indians between them and the gate. Boone ordered his men to run for the gate and all fired and loaded on the run. Boone however, took an Indian round in the ankle, which broke his leg. He fell and momentarily blacked out from the excruciating pain. Just as he felt fingers grabbing his hair to scalp him alive, he felt the fingers relax and almost instantly he was lifted into someone elses
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