Jacobus Westerfield

GEDCOM Note

GEDCOM Note

· The Winning of the West by Theodore Roosevelt, Volume Two - From the Alleghanies to the Mississippi 1777-1783; pages 101-102
"As soon as the spring of 1780 opened, the immigrants began to arrive more numerously than ever. Some came over the Wilderness road; among these there were not a few haggard, half-famished beings who, having started too late the previous fall, had been overtaken by the deep snows, and forced to pass the winter in the iron-bound and desolate valleys of the Alleghanies, subsisting on the carcasses of their stricken cattle, and seeing their weaker friends starve or freeze before their eyes. Very many came down the Ohio, in flat-boats. A good-sized specimen of these huge unwieldy scows was fifty-five feet long, twelve broad, and six deep, drawing three feet of water; but the demand was greater than the supply, and a couple of dozen people, with half as many horses, and all their effects, might be forced to embark on a flat-boat not twenty-four feet in length. Usually several families came together, being bound by some tie of neighborhood or purpose. Not infrequently this tie was religious, for in the back settlements the few churches were almost as much social as religious centers. Thus this spring, a third of the congregation of a Low Dutch Reformed Church came to Kentucky bodily, to the number of fifty heads of families, with their wives and children, their beasts of burden and pasture, and their household goods; like most bands of new immigrants, they suffered greatly from the Indians, much more than did the old settlers." Copied from Westerfield Genforum - source Tommye Craven: "I have seen several postings wanting to know details of the Westerfield/Westervelt massacre. So decided to post what I have. I also have other stories regarding the Staffords as told to Lymen Draper, by Hiram Stafford. His mother was Leah Westerfield/Westerfield who married William Stafford. WESTERFIELD MASSACRE Letter of H.R. Stafford to Lyman C. Draper, historian. My grandfather, James Westerfield was a large man weighing 333 pounds, himself and family left Berkeley Co., Virginia about 1780 and emigrated to Kentucky by way of Pittsberg to Louisville intending to go to Herrod's Station in now Mercer Co. Ky. Him and company about 30 persons started from Louisville to the Station camped for the night on the waters of Beargrass about 12 miles out and sometime in the night was attacked by a party of Indians while asleep, and but few escaped death. The old man [James Westerfield] and two of his daughters among the number killed. The old lady [Maria Demaree-his wife] saved 3 children by hiding them in a sink hole, one child in her arms and 2 under her clothes to keep them from crying. My mother, then single, also escaped to a fort not far off but owing to the alarm with difficulty got in. Those that were prisoners was separated a little way from each other until they could find out which was capable to travel, and those unfit to travel was tomahawked and scalped, one woman sitting by, on seeing one of her children one after another slain, they went to take her infant out of her arms her fortitude gave way, held on to the child screaming for its safety was killed on the spot by the hatchet and scalped, they took the infant by the heels and beat out its brains against a tree. They then took such of the others as they intended to take with them & ripped open the beds, scattering the feathers, gathered their plunder and left. After killing the Old Man they seemed to think they had killed a giant. Three buttoned themselves in his big coat and danced. Deborah Westerfield and her cousin Polly taken off prisoners to Detroit, then sold to the French as servants, was badly treated and by the sympathy of the same, sold into another family. They remained until exchanged and finally got home to (?) surviving friends. While in captivity at about that time the old lady [Maria] was taken on her return from a French's house, had her horse shot out from under her and taken not far from (Checkhans?) Station in now Shelby Co., KY. (Note: Could not make out name of the station. I believe it was Ketchum's Station.) Taken a few miles off, secured for the night, until they could steal some horses for their journey, came back before day with the horses, gave her choice, the back of which she knew well, (dexterously?) put on her saddle and when ready, mounted and took off was taken- also to Detroit in great hope of meeting with her daughters and cousin Polly Westerfield but to her disappointment they were released and gone home around east. She remained there about one year and finally got back. I omitted to state that after the horses were killed she was made to run and pack her saddle about four miles on to a creek in the hills called battekin (?) to the ______place referred to above. [I think this might be Bullskin Creek.] All of which is respectfully narrated as I learned it. H. R. Stafford, Carroll Co., March 28, 1865" Notes: James Westerfield was killed in an Indian raid upon his arrival into Ky. The one who weighed 333 lbs., was James Westerfield, and was the husband of Maria Demaree, who saved three of her children. They were the parents of James Westerfield who married Phoebe Cozine and the grandparents of Cornelius Westerfield,Sr., who married Elizabeth "Betsy" Bruce. Notes by Barbara. It was extracted from the microfilm by Mary Landkamer of Broke Bow, Ok, Nov. 18, 1991, and was in "The Melted American" Westerfield Newsletter #14, Nov. 18, 1996, pp13 and 14. This is from Draper Manuscripts Volume 24C145&148. (That is what it has, I wonder if it should be 145-148.) This background is given: "In 1865, Lyman C. Draper, historian had written to H. R. Stafford for information on his father, William Stafford who was a very early settler in Kentucky having come from Randolph Co. Virginia with Daniel Boone when Boone moved his family to Kentucky. In answering Mr. Draper, H. R. also told about the Westerfield [Westervelt] family since H. R's mother was Leah Westerfield who married William Stafford in 1793"

· · · · · · · Will Abstract for James Westervelt/WesterfieldPosted 12 Sep 2008 by GayleLondereeMercer County, Kentucky Will Records Will Book 7 1818-1824 Mercer County, Kentucky Book 8 1825-1826 Name: James Westerfield Wife, Phebe Westerfield James, Isaac my sons Ann Carter and the rest of my children Exor.: Son, Isaac and Thomas Allin, Jr. Witnesses: Thomas Allin and Samuel Eccles Probated: June Court 1826

· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Battle of BrooklynPosted 22 Sep 2015 by GayleLondereeThe Battle of Brooklyn When you think of American history, the cities of Philadelphia and Boston come to mind. Washington, D.C. and Williamsburg, Virginia are always known for their popular history. We've all known how the Borough of Manhattan is saturated in American History as well. But Brooklyn has more than her own place in the story of America. The first major campaign between The Continental Army and His Majesty's Royal Army happened in Brooklyn, U.S.A. It is here where important historical landmarks resulted from The Battle of Brooklyn in Flatbush and Brooklyn Heights. Up until July of 1776, there were many English sympathizers, even within the Continental Congress. Many felt that it was Parliament which was causing our troubles with the Motherland. The King was expected to eventually intercede on our behalf. It’s hard for us to imagine in today's world, but during the 18th century which marked the end of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the small man looked to the King as his protector and the King was considered benevolent. It was Parliament run by small minded feudal Lords, and their inherent corruption and politics which people feared. As such, the thought that the King would intercede on behalf of the Colonies with the British Parliament was not a far fetched idea. At least not in America. But King George III had different ideas. He declared to Parliament that the American rebellion would be crushed with the full force of the British Army. And barring its ability to raise enough troops to put down the rebellion with British citizen's, King George declared he would hire German mercenaries. It was this declaration which spawned the commission of the writing of the Declaration of Independence. The first theater of the war after its issue was right here in Brooklyn. That March in 1776, George Washington, after being appointed Commander and Chief of the Continental Army, entered New York City and entrenched himself in New York and Brooklyn. The New England regiments involved with the scuffled at Lexington and Concord' headed down from Boston to New York to meet with Washington. Many of who where left from Benedict Arnold's and Robert Montgomery's failed Canadian expeditions also arrived. Regiments from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia joined Washington as well. The names of many who served with Washington in this crucial battle, and its aftermath, ring familiar for many a Brooklynite. The Main British Army was conveyed across the Atlantic Ocean under the command of General William Howe. Washington had nearly 20,000 soldiers at his disposal in New York. He built Fort Washington in northern Manhattan, at and around 180th Street on the west side. In Brooklyn he engaged Nathaniel Greene and Rufus Putman (Israel Putman's cousin). Putman and Greene traced out works around Brooklyn Heights that sloped gradually into the plains of Flatlands and Flatbush, and surveyed the Marshlands and beaches that makeup Brooklyn's south shore. At the Battery, Knox was to build, well, The Battery, - a line of cannon artillery that projected out into New York Harbor. Battery Park at this time in lower Manhattan was entirely under water. Washington had his troops spread out over both sides of the East River and up and down Manhattan Island. Just prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, on June 29th in 1776, the British finally arrived in New York Harbor in perhaps the largest flotilla the harbor had seen to that point. Eyewitness Daniel McCurtin wrote, "the whole bay was full of shipping as it could be. I...thought all London afloat." Knox' Battery was a formidable force, which unfortunately was pointed in the wrong direction to be of any use. The British troops landed in Staten Island and formulated a plan, away from Knox' guns, and through that July, more and more transport ships met the British Fleet in Staten Island. Dick Howe, the brother of the General, brought in tremendous reinforcements to help his brother. In August, the British Fleet that was assigned and blockaded in the south, commanded by Admiral Peter Parker (no relation to Mary Jane Watson), joined Howe. General Clinton and General Cornwallis also sailed into New York Harbor. Together they made up Britain's greatest expeditionary force to date, ready to snarl Washington. And if the British weren't enough, Dick Howe brought to his brother King George's promised German mercenaries. The psychological effect of the German troops could not have been over-estimated. New York City was a Loyalist hotbed. But the appearance of German soldiers was a wake up call to the common man in New York City. If the British weren't yet considered a foreign power, the presence of the Germans was greatly resented by the American population. But all this mattered not, because Washington, without a Navy to control the waters around New York Harbor, was faced with a divided force. Much of it was in Brooklyn, cut off from an escape route if needed as Howe's fleet took control of the East River. On top of this problem, Washington's Army was barely more than a mob. Troops were undisciplined and had little respect for military rank. They were ill equipped without heavy artillery.They had no experience to use the artillery they had. Military drill was critical at a time when the musket firearm was not much more effective than the bayonet, and effective use of weapons depended on elaborately choreographed warfare which laid down thick lines of fire to make up for a lack of accuracy. Strict precision discipline in the ranks translated to successful campaigns. This was an art almost unknown by American troops. Even the senior staff command structure was in flux. Israel Putman was suppose to be in command within the Brooklyn Heights main garrison. John Sullivan was a Major General who commanded what was known as the American Left in Brooklyn, and the Right Sector ( Western Brooklyn) was given to a New Jersian, William Alexander. Sullivan and Putman feuded as to their respective responsibilities. The entire operations in Brooklyn was supposed to be overseen by General Greene (as in Fort Greene). Greene, however, became ill just prior to the beginning of Howe's move from Staten Island to Brooklyn. The command structure had to be adjusted to compensate for Greene's absence. Hence, the three General command structure was implemented using Putman, Sullivan and Williams. It was on August 22nd, 1776 when Howe began to move. Rather than face Knox' artillery at the Battery, Howe smartly navigated 88 frigates across the narrows where the Verrazano Bridge now stands, to land in Graves End. Each frigate was filled with German and English troops. Some of the English companies included the 17th Light Dragoons (as they spelled it) and the Black Watch Brigade (A Scottish brigade with Black Kilts). 15,000 men landed on Brooklyn from Staten Island, along with Commanders Clinton, Cornwallis and the Hessian (German) Count von Donop. While the move across the Narrows went smoothly for the British, the winds of New York Harbor favored Washington throughout the campaign and all but prevented Howe from sailing war ships up the East River. Washington quickly reinforced Brooklyn by ferrying by row boat more troops to the Brooklyn side of the River. On the 25th of August, after 3 days, winds shifted further in Washington's favor and Howe was unable to add more troops to Brooklyn's south shore. But by the 26th Howe was able to move the many German Troops to the theater of the Brooklyn War. Washington had split his Army in two, half of the Continental Army in Brooklyn, its back to the East River and vulnerable to naval assault, and half in New York City, with Knox' cannons facing the wrong direction. In Boston the English made the mistake of underestimating the rebels and marched their columns directly in front of fortified American positions on Breed Hill. In Brooklyn, Howe was not going to make the same mistake. The terrain of Brooklyn is such that a large hill runs down the center of its spine from the terminal moraine which runs up Sunset Park, through Prospect Park and Lookout Hill, Mount Prospect behind the Brooklyn Museum, and out along Eastern Parkway. Washington fortified the hill tops and the southern slopes in Red Hook and Flatbush. 10,000 British troops simply marched around the American fortifications in what is called a flanking maneuver. After camping for 5 days in Flatbush, they marched east on what was called Jamaica Pass, which ran approximately along present day Empire Blvd., and was unguarded by the Americans. Unopposed they marched into New Lots and Brownsville. They stopped for drinks (yup - drinks) at a tavern called the Rising Sun Tavern and forced the tavern owner to show them a northern passage called Rockaway Path in today's Evergreen Cemetery, north to what today is the Eastern Parkway area, to the township of Bedford. They then surprised the American troops, attacking behind their wall of fortified positions, hitting them from the side on the northern slope of the Heights. Sullivan's Left Wing was crushed and sent into turmoil. The American Rifle, superior in most respects to the common musket, was unable to fire more than one round at a time without reloading it and repacking it. Muskets, similarly needed to be reloaded after each shot. But Muskets, especially British Muskets, were fitted with bayonets, and as the British advanced, they would lay down firing column after firing column until in bayonet range at which point they rushed the American lines in a form of organized hand to hand combat. The American's simply couldn't combat this style of open warfare. In essence, the British attacked the Americans from behind. In Prospect Park there is a marker for what is known as Battle Pass. Battle Pass had a large oak tree known as Dongal Oak. The tree was felled and the Americans took position behind it and along a corridor blocking Battle Pass. The British attacked from Bedford (around Fulton and Bedford Avenue) behind the defensive line. Americans fled in all directions. They were bayoneted near the Atlantic Ave. LIRR train station at Baker's Tavern. They were chased into the woods which are now remolded to Prospect Park, up Flatbush Ave., and down Park Slope on Port Road which was located near 1st street. On the 26th, Washington came to Brooklyn to oversee the operation. There was little that could be done but to hope that the wind would keep Howe's war fleet out of the East River. Washington must have realized at this point that he had maneuvered his Army into a trap. On the American Right was William Alexander's (a.k.a.: Lord Sterling), and William Smallwood's Marylanders. Accompanying the Marylanders was Haslet's regiment of Delawares. Smallwood's and Haslet's regiments were the real heros of the Battle of Brooklyn. Aside from the flanking maneuver, the British also drove forward from Brooklyn's western shore line. In a strange quirk of history, and in typical Brooklyn fashion, 2 British soldiers were caught stealing watermelons from a field at the Red Lion Inn at 39th street in Sunset Park. They beat a hasty retreat and in an example of truth being stranger than fiction, returned.....but with 5000 more British troops. General Alexander then met the troops there with 1700 men. They arrived on the morning of the 27th badly outnumbered but prepared to die for America's honor. And die they did. Under the command of Alexander, Haslet's Delawares and Smallwood's Marylanders where surrounded by the British grenadier and Scottish 42nd Black Watch. The British were amazed at the valor of these two groups. But they destroyed them anyway. Alexander tried to save his troops and ordered an organized withdrawal. Through the Gowanus Creek they withdrew, except for 200 Marylanders lead by the war hero, Mordecai Gist. At the Cortelyou House, Gist and his men counter attacked and nearly broke the British lines. Alexander had ordered his sixth counter attack when fresh British troops arrived. And Gist and his fellow Marylanders had to fight their way back to the American Line. Only 9, including Mordecai Gist survived. But the offensive on what is now known as the Stone House, allowed the rest of Alexander's Army to survive. 256 died at the Stone House, in an unmarked grave. General Alexander himself is caught by the British Army. More men came over from Manhattan, and then the rains began. On August 29th, Washington at the Cornell Mansion on Pierpoint Place decides it is time to retreat from Brooklyn, while he still had the wind in his favor. Those of us who live in Brooklyn know what it is like in late August in a pouring rain. Not the sort of thunder storm that would suddenly appear but the kind of rain where it is overcast and raining for a couple of days, and when fog covers the Harbor. Howe composed a letter to Lord George Germain on his total victory in Brooklyn. He had a clear run to Brooklyn Heights. But in the wake of walking troops into barricaded Americans in Boston and suffering a terrible defeat, he hesitates to enter the Lion's Den of Brooklyn Heights with the weather as heavy as it was. He pulled back east and digs in for a seige. Hoping to push closer and closer to the American troops holed up in Brooklyn Heights from their protection of earthworks, rather than just marching into the American fortifications. In the mists of a full blown Nor'easter, similar to the one that ripped the shore off of Sea Gate a few years back, Howe steadily pushed forward. Washington finally decides to withdraw from Brooklyn. And yet in doing so, he knows that if the British discovered his retreat across the East River, half his Army and most of its command would to be caught in a massacre of British fire and bayonets. Washington's Army in the moment of withdrawal was in deadly peril. John Glover was a leader of a brigade called the Marbleheaders. They were seamen by trade, and along with the Massachusetts 27th regiment lead by Israel Hutchinson they rowed the Continental Army and their equipment, in complete silence across the East River. One British Military critic had said, “Those who are best aquainted with the difficulty, the embarrassment, noise and tumult which attend even by day, and with no enemy at hand, a movement of this nature...will be the first to acknowledge that this retreat should hold a high place among military transactions. While Washington's misjudgment put the Army in extreme danger, on the strength of his leadership he was able to save the force. When the British arrived at Brooklyn Heights that next morning, they found nothing more than some rusted buckets.

· Massacre - Westerfield Massacre, and Jacobus Westervelt, as told by James Thomas MoorePosted 11 Aug 2018 by GayleLondereeMassacre - Westerfield Massacre, and Jacobus Westervelt, as told by James Thomas MooreThis is a story about the tragic incident that took place called the Westerfield Massacre. Our ancestors were early immigrants to Kentucky and helped settle the state.

Jacobus Westervelt immigrated to Kentucky in 1780 and his son, James Westerfield, immigrated in 1785. Jacobus Sr. traveled as part of the Dutch Reformed Church group know as the Banta Party, which arrived in the spring of 1780 in what would become Jefferson County, Kentucky. His son, James, lead a church group of around eighty people down the Ohio River to the Louisville area arriving in 1785. James built the Westerfield Station in what is now Shelby County that same year. I do not know exactly where this station was. Amongst both parties were several family members of ours with the surnames Westerfield, Demaree, Cosine, and others.

Our ancestors originally came from the Netherlands in the mid to late 1600s. They settled in New Amsterdam (present day New York). From there they moved to New Jersey. They lived in New Jersey for several generations. During the years surrounding the Revolutionary War, our ancestors moved to Kentucky via Conewago, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

My fourth great-grandfather, Jacobus Westervelt, Jr., served as a Revolutionary Soldier, Indian Fighter and Kentucky Frontiersman. He was known by several names as his Dutch name transitioned through the process of becoming anglicized. Records indicate that he went by Jacobus Westervelt, Jacobus Westervelt, Jr., Jacob Westervelt, James Westerfelt , James Westerfield and other variations of these names. He lived from 1755 to 1826. He is buried behind the Old Mud Meeting House in Mercer County, Kentucky. Records also indicate that James Westervelt served as a Revolutionary Soldier from the summer of 1776 until sometime after June, 1778. His military records show that he was a Corporal in the Dutchess County, New York Militia in Freer’s Regiment. He was wounded in both legs during his first battle of the Revolution, the Battle of Long Island. There is an interesting story about how he fell in love with our fourth great-grandmother while recovering from his wounds in her brother’s New Jersey home. James Westervelt Jr.’s father, Jacobus Westervelt, was born in 1737 and was killed by Indians in your area in the spring of 1780. The following transcriptions of various documents tell the story much more accurately than I can.

The first account is from the E. A. (Ethan Allen) Westerfield Manuscript. Ethan was born about 1868. He wrote A Brief History of the Westerfield Family in America sometime between 1902 and 1926. Even though he did not realize it, E. A. Westerfield’s story is a composite story of Jacobus Sr. and Jacobus Jr.’s journeys to Kentucky. After you read the Draper Manuscript excerpts, you will be able to see how the two stories were combined through family lore that had been passed down for decades. The Draper Manuscript’s testimonies are much more reliable than E. A. Westerfield’s story, because they are the testimony from children and grandchildren of those who were present at the Westerfield massacre. Some of the testimonies are from our family members and some are not. Mr. Draper’s interviews allow us to separate E. A. Westerfield’s account into two distinct immigrations to Kentucky: one in 1780 and the other in 1785. E. A. Westerfield’s story begins with the Revolution.

A Brief History of the Westerfield Family in America

...James (Jr.) and William (Westervelt) with a number of others having been worsted in a skirmish with a party of British foragers from Staten Island...enlisted in General Green's division... (This was sometime in the summer of 1776 between late June and August 22.) (They) participated in the Battle of...(Long Island)... James was wounded at Brooklyn Heights...(He was) shot through the legs...(He) was taken to Dobbs Ferry and across into New Jersey to the house of John Cozine where he remained until able to be returned to duty. About the year 1782, James Westervelt, having been honorably discharged from the Continental Army for disability removed with his wife (Phoebe Cosine Westervelt) and two children, John and Polly (Mary b. 1780) to the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia not far from Harpers Ferry where he remained (for) a short time. Then he (James Westervelt Jr.) returned to New Jersey and headed a colony of immigrants of 18 families and some 75 or 80 persons, whom he conducted to Harpers Ferry where they passed the winter (of 1783-1784) preparing for their journey to Kentucky.

The following spring in March (1784) they started across the mountains with twenty wagons containing their household goods and farming utensils. These wagons were mostly drawn by cows and two bulls, the latter heading the caravan. They arrived at the Ohio River somewhere near Wheeling, West Virginia early enough in the summer (1784) to enable each family to clear and plant a patch of ground with corn and vegetables and build for their convenience and comfort, during the next winter (1784-85) log cabins and a stockade for better protection against the indians. During the fall and winter they also built a flat boat in which to sail down the river, so close to the water that the spring rise would enable them to float it. They felled an immense yellow poplar tree from which they hewed a large beam 70' long and 4' wide and 16 inches thick. This they split with whip saws making two broad planks for the side of the boat, and planks for the bottom being obtained in the same laborious manner. The whole being put together and strongly fastened with wooden pins. In this they embarked and floated away with the spring (1785) rise, having taken aboard all their effects and such of their cattle as they had not killed and salted. The wagons were taken to pieces and the covered bodies used as shelter. They were attacked by indians while floating near the Indiana shore and several of the cattle were wounded. The immigrants sheltered themselves behind the low sides of the boat, but James Westervelt (Jr.) being the leader of the expedition and captain of the boat stood bravely at his post steering. He was wounded in the abdomen by an indian bullet. Except for this casualty all aboard landed safely two days afterwards (1785) on the Kentucky side about two miles above where Louisville now stands. There they remained for several days to allow their cattle to feed on the bear grass from which a small stream (Bear Grass Creek) entering the Ohio at that place takes its name…

Floyd’s Station was first located at the mouth of the Beargrass in Louisville on the corner of 3rd Street and the Ohio River. This is where their party landed and stayed a few days before continuing their journey into the Shelby County area where James quickly built what became known as the Westerfield Station . This ends the portion of E. A. Westerfield’s story of James Westervelt, Jr.’s 1784-1785 journey to Kentucky. Next E. A. Westerfield skips back in time to 1780 and describes James Westervelt, Sr.’s arrival into the state .

…A few (30) of the Banta party, including James Westervelt, Sr., hired a guide to go to Fort Harrod. They were attacked during their 1st night’s rest. They (James Westervelt, Sr.’s group) hitched up their (wagons) and load(ed) their goods, removed to Bullitt’s...Station (I am unsure where this is, but he may be referring to Bullitt’s Lick. There was a Clear’s Station near Bullit’s Lick in Bullitt County, Kentucky) where there was a small stockade or fort, which was crowded with immigrants and was a very muddy and uncomfortable place. So much so that they preferred remaining outside and twenty camped on a small stream nearby. The next morning, before daylight, they were attacked by indians who were driven off. But not until Jacob Westervelt, Sr. had been shot while in the act of firing with a large double gun, one lock of which was carried away by the bullet, which also penetrated his brain… (spring 1780)

Bullitt’s Lick is a prehistoric salt lick three miles northeast of Shepherdsville in what is now Bullit County Kentucky. To get there, take exit 177, then take Hwy 44W from Shepherdsville.

The Draper Manuscripts paint a different picture and give us additional facts from various prospectives including some from non-family members.

The Draper Manuscript, Series CC Vol. 13, pp 11-12

Testimony of Mrs. Strong about her father John Thickston (the Westervelt’s guide).

…After the campaign under Logan he (John Thickston) went to take some families up to Harrod’s old town. Two Westerfelts (James Westervelt Sr. and his brother, Jan or John, b. 1734) were at Floyd’s Station. (The second location of Floyd’s Station was on the middle fork of Beargrass Creek, six miles from the Falls of the Ohio. It was settled by Col. John Floyd in 1775.) Father (John Thickston) took loads on his 2 horses, to go and carry a load for them. He wanted to see the place. (He) Had a thought of moving there…John (or Jan who is James Westervelt’s brother and)…Christopher Westerfelt,… Jas. Swan, …Jas: McGaughlin, an Irishman, …Thos. Pyburn, a Dutchman, all were killed. Polly & Debby, two of (the) Westerfelt’s daug.(s), cousins, Betsy Swan, they & Garrett Westerfelt...were taken prisoners. The indians made a terrible fuss; at length one of them stepped up and tomahawked him,( i.e. Garrett.) (Westerfield). Father (John Thickston) was shot across the back of the neck. Didn’t hurt him a great deal. His cousin, Wm. Thickston was shot slightly across the back of the hand in two places. He (John Thickston) saw three indians standing by the fire, looking at his gun, which he always kept very bright, and he could see it shine by the fire. He went up and seized the gun out of the indian’s hand. The indian raised his tomahawk. He turned the breech of his gun, and knocked the indian down, and cleared himself. Father had 16 bullet holes shot thru his blanket, as he rose up. He thought it was a loud clap of thunder, the firing came on them in such a volley and so together. He jumped up and ran till he stumbled over a log. Here he stopped to look, and saw the indians throwing in the packsaddles, and every thing they could get, into the fire & screaming. He rose up again, and ran, till he came to Clear Station, near Bullit’s Lick, ( Clear Station and Bullit’s Lick are in Bullitt County, Kentucky.) (He was) guided by the crowing of the roosters. The attack was about 3 o’clock, I think Monday morning. Thos. Pearce was wounded through the ribs... The widows of McLaughlin and Pyburn, (who were killed), were afterwards living in our station. Old Mrs. Westerfelt, (Maria Demaree Westerfield) and her son Jan, (Sam b. 1760) escaped...Next day they returned, and dug a great hole, and buried about 20 all together...Betsy Swan had been wounded in the shoulder…(The Indians) thought too badly, and tomahawked her. Polly (daughter of John Westervelt) and Debby (daughter of James Westervelt, Sr.) were exchanged at Detroit. These were all the prisoners…

The following is testimony by Hiram Stafford, grandson of James Westerfield, Sr., son of Leah Westerfield who escaped during the attack.

The Draper Manuscript, Lyman C. Draper, Boone Papers, Series C, Vol. 24, pp 145, 145-1, 145-2, 28 March 1865

…My Grandfather, James Westerfield (James Westervelt, Sr.) was a large man weighing 333 pounds himself and family left Berkeley County, Virginia about 1780 and emigrated to Kentucky by way of Pittsburgh to Louisville intending to go to Harrod’s Station in now Mercer Co. Ky. Him and company (of) about 30 persons started from Louisville to the station. (They) camped for the night on the waters of bargrass about 12 miles out and sometime in the night was attacked by a party of indians while asleep, and but few escaped death. The old man (James Westervelt, Sr.) and two of his daughters (were) among the number killed. The old lady (Maria Demaree Westervelt) saved 3 children (Catharine, 10 yrs, Leah, Rebecca, a baby, and maybe another child instead of Leah) by hiding in a sinkhole. One child (was) in her arms and two (were) under her clothes to keep them from crying. My Mother (Leah, then age 13) then single also escaped to a fort not far off… Those that were prisoners was separated a little way from each other until they could find out which was capable to travel and those unfit to travel was tomahawked and scalped. One woman (was) sitting by and seeing all of her children one after another slain…they went to her to take her infant out of her arms, her fortitude gave way…(She) held on to the child screaming for its safety (and she ) was killed on the spot by the hatchet and scalped. (The indians) then took the infant by the heels and beat out its brains against a tree. They then took each of the others as they intended to take with them and ripped open the beds scattering the feathers gathered their plunder and left. After killing the old man (Jacobus Westervelt, Sr.) they seemed to think they had killed a giant, three buttoned themselves in his big coat and danced. Deborah Westerfield and her cousin Polley (were) taken off prisoners to Detroit, then sold to the French as servants, (They) was badly treated…(and later) sold into another family. They remained (with them) until exchanged and finally got home…(two years later). While (the girls were) in captivity…the old lady (Mrs. Westervelt) was taken (by indians) on her return from a friend’s house (in Shelby County) (She) had her horse shot (out from) under her and (was) taken not far from Ketcham’s Station in now Shelby Co. Ky. (She was) Taken a few miles off secreted for the night, until they could steal horses for their journey (They) came back before day with the horses, (and) gave (her) choice (of horses to ride). She took a favorite one which she knew well… (She) put on her saddle...mounted and off was taken to Detroit in great hope of meeting with her daughter and cousin, (Polley Westerfield) but to her disappointment they…(had been) released and (had) gone home around Easter. She remained there about one year and finally got back (1782-83).

I omitted to state that after the horse was killed she was made to run and pack her saddle (for) about four miles on to a creek in the hills called Bullskin, to the secreted place referred to above.

All of which is respectfully narrated as I learned it.

H.R. Stafford Carroll County Mar 28th, 1865 The Draper Manuscripts, Boone Papers, Series C, Vol. 2, pp 148, 148-1, 148-2, 16 May 1865 This is the 2nd testimony of Hiram Stafford, son of Leah Westerfield. Leah escaped during Westerfield massacre. Carrolton, Carroll Co., Ky May 16, 1865 Mr. Lyman C. Draper, Esq

Dr Sir,…My Father was born in Amelia Co., Vir. in 1753. (He) came to Ky when Col. Boon moved his family out on his second trip. My father resided in Ky until his death June 1820- 67 years old. Married Leah Westerfield, 16 years old, near Dicks River (in) 1783. I have no record by which I can give (a) positive date. It is from information received mostly from others... So far as recollected, my grand father, James Westerfield, (Sr.) emigrated to Ky (in) 1780 from Berkeley Co. Virginia. (He) landed at Louisville, Ky in the spring with others... by way of Pittsburgh down the Ohio. Left Louisville for Harrod’s Station. (They) camped about 12 miles out, (and were) attacked by a party of indians while in camp. All the movers (were) massacred, except my grand mother, Leah, Deborah, Isaac, Rebecca, Catharine - My Mother, Leah late Westerfield---Deborah and Polly Westerfield, daughter of John Westerfield, her distant cousin was taken to Detroit, hence to Montreal. (They) remained in captivity (for) two years. (They) got released and returned by way of Philadelphia, PA…

The Draper Manuscript, Lyman C. Draper, Series CC, Vol. 13, p 84

…Westerfelt family killed going to Harrodsburgh, near Bullit’s lick. (Bullit’s Lick is in Bullitt County, Kentucky.) Samuel Westerfelt, and his sister got back. This the same summer of 1780…

Interview with Miss Campbell, Feb 1780

I hope this gives you more insight into our family’s tragic adventures in the Jefferson County area.

Sincerely,

James Thomas Moore son of Helen Westerfield daughter of Tymer Westerfield son of Isaac Know Westerfield son of David Westerfield son of Cornelius Westerfield son of James Westerfield, Jr. son of Jacobus Westervelt

· · · · · · · · The Westerfield Massacre1780 Kentucky A description of the trip to Kentucky, and the Westerfield family massacre by Shawnee indians. GayleLondereeGayleLonderee originally shared this on 28 Feb 2008 Linked To Saved by (10 of 99) Comments

• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Apr 2 2021, 12:33:48 UTC