The photograph of Benjamin Franklyn Finnell is likely an early tin type showing him holding a tomahawk, an object of some obvious importance to him.An accompanying note linked to this photo , suggests Mr. Finnell took the tomahawk probably as a battle trophy which he won by defeating a Native American at the - quote “ Tems River in Kentucky” sometime during the War Of 1812. Note-I have reason to believe the battle location may be misattribted , or may be a mis-spelling of the Battle of the Thames River which did occur in Oct. of 1813 not in Kentucky, but rather in lower Ontario Canada situated about half way between Detroit Michigan,and modern Toronto.
While that battle took place far away from Kentucky, historians believe about 3000 Kentucky volunteer militia soldiers did participate in it under the overall command of Gen. William Henry Harrison, later President, Also former Kentucky Governor Isaac Shelby accompanied the state troops into Canada, taking up an honorary position among the officer corps.
The battle was a significant victory for the Americans over the British and their Indian allies. Of particular importance was the defeat of the Indians engaged which were under the leadership of the Shawnee Chieftain Tecumseh, respected by both friend and foe alike, who was killed at the River Thames.
The residents of Kentucky were staunch supporters of the War Of 1812, and about 25,000 Kentuckians served during the course of the war despite the fact that no battles took place within state borders. Most Kentuckians served outside the state in diverse places like Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and western Ontario Canada under Gen. Harrison , as well as in the Deep South under Gen. Andrew Jackson in Alabama and at New Orleans.
Such was the state’s commitment to the war, that some sources attribute as many as 64% of all casualties sustained by the American side during the entire war, were Kentuckians.
