Life has gotten in the way so please excuse this incomplete story and references. I will attempt at a later date to update.
Aaron was the son of Captain William and Elizabeth Mossom Reynolds born on November 1, 1753 in Stafford County, Virginia. Aaron was a surveyor under Daniel Boone on an early trip into Kentucky around 1767. He also helped to build Fort Boonesbourough between 1773 and 1774.
Aaron was a unique character. The Draper Manuscripts
describe Aaron as a, ”youth of 18 or so. Depending on the writer, Aaron has been described as either an impetuous young man with energy and colorful speech or a rough, foul mouthed youth. Whatever Aaron’s character was, he is considered a hero by many standards.
Aaron was probably among the first settlers who had a disastrous beginning from
the Yadkin Valley in 1773. This group had been set upon by Indians while
attempting to cross the Cumberland Gap. Because of this Indian attack the party
of settlers turned back and waited till the following spring to again return to
Kentucky. This time the pioneers were successful and began work building the
fort.
The story most often told in the
annals of history has two parts. One begins with Aaron’s trip up the Ohio River
to a meeting with Gen. George Rogers Clark and ends at the battle of Blue Lick
Springs. Aaron then fades into the pages of history to be resurrected whenever
stories are told of Kentucky involvement in the Revolutionary war.
Aaron Reynolds was a member of the Kentucky Militia as were
all able bodied men of that time. Because regular soldiers were needed to fight
the Revolutionary War in the east Kentucky had formed the Militia as defense against the British forces. These British forces enlisted the
aid of the Indians and were making a last ditch effort to try and drive
the upstart Americans back across the mountains. After several attacks on the
various outlying settlements most of the Militia had gone to a meeting with
Gen. George Rogers Clark on the upper Ohio River at Scioto. This meeting was to
plan for the defense of the Kentucky settlers.
Aaron Reynolds was in the company of Capt. Robert Patterson
who is described by history as a gallant but pious man. Aaron was well known
for his explosive and descriptive language. Capt. Patterson offered Aaron a
quart of his good whiskey if Aaron would
refrain from swearing till they reached the meeting on the banks of the Ohio.
When at last the weary soldiers stood on the banks of the Ohio Aaron claimed
his prize. Capt. Patterson allowed that Aaron’s language had indeed improved
but not enough to warrant a whole quart of whiskey. Encouraged by the older men
Aaron swore his language would “Grace a bench of Bishops”. Capt. Patterson acceded to the older men’s
wishes and gave Aaron his whiskey. The Captian would soon have cause to be very
grateful to the young Pvt. Aaron
Reynolds.
As the Militia was returning home word came that Bryans
Station was under attack by Simon Girty and his renegades. Simon Girty was born Scot-Irish in Pennsylvania but lived with the Indians and preferred their lifestyle.
The small band of
Kentucky Militia hurried to the aid of the settlers and by the time the militia arrived Simon and the Indians had taken a position in the
cornfield surrounding the main house. The Militia set up position in the
opposite cornfield and a dialog developed between them. Simon
had much say about what would happen if
the settlers did not surrender. Simon hollered to the settlers they had
better give up because their hides would soon be drying on the roof by sundown
if they didn’t. The militia
hollered that Kentucky was to the rescue. Simon boasted that no rag-tag Kentucky
outfit could whip him and his braves. He had artillery coming and they would
blast the settlers out. Simon invited
the militia to show themselves instead of hiding. Out of the cornfield, Aaron, the mighty swearer arose. Aaron hollered
back that he did not need artillery that
he had two cur dogs, one named Simon and
one named Girty and they would eat the hides of Simon and his “yeller Sons- of-
bitches. “ The settlers inside roared with
laughter. Simon hollered that this was no time for jokes, he would soon
blast the settlers. It is not clear exactly what happened but according to
the onlookers in the house, “All hell broke loose”. There was a lot of
cornstalk and grass waving, dogs barking, men hollering and shots fired. It seems Aaron had released his dogs and true to his threat
the dogs had attacked the Indians. The attackers fled. There was much
discussion among the settlers whether to follow the renegades or wait for the
arrival of Col. Benjamin Logan who was coming with about 400 men. The decision
was made to follow, sure that Col. Logan was only hours away.
Another account of the story goes: A young man of the garrison, Aaron Reynolds, is said to have met the proposal in true backwoods style. He assured the renegade leader that he was well known and despised by all of them, that they had no fears of his artillery, and that if any of his followers entered the fort that they would not deign to use rifles to oppose them but would drive them out with switches. He dared Girty to remain another day, for by that time their own reinforcements were promised and then not a single one of his followers should escape.
19 August 1782… The Militia caught up with the Indians at Blue Lick Springs, located in present day Robertson Co. In what history has described as an ambush masterminded by the British, The battle lasted about fifteen minutes and ended in bitter defeat for the Kentucky Militia. Some of the most able leaders and over half of the men were killed and many were wounded. The survivors had made it back to the river where Aaron found his Captain Patterson stranded on foot too weak to swim across. Aaron had lost his horse but had managed to secure another. Aaron dismounted, put the officer on the horse and sent it across the river. Aaron attempted to swim but weighed down by heavy buckskins he had sat down to remove them and was captured by Indians. Left with only one guard Aaron escaped and ran on foot back to the fort where his story was received with disbelief until the other survivors began to return and confirmed the story. Daniel Boone was one of the survivors.
According to material from the Draper Manuscripts Capt. “Patterson rewarded Aaron with 200 acres. Aaron settled down, joined the church and married his childhood sweetheart. Later Aaron moved to Webster co. when it opened up because it was getting too crowded”.
According to many researchers Aaron returned to Tn. Where he died about 1832 in Giles Co. The application for pension would seem to support this. Tn. Marriage records say Aaron married Mattie Davis 1808 in Maury Co. This suggests Mattie was a 2nd wife.
Married Caty Chambers on 13 August 1784 in Orange County, Virginia (See Source 1).Sources:
The Title for this article shows the birth year as 1783. The actual birth year of 1753 is used in the body of the article.
ReplyDeleteThank you for bringing this to my attention. It's greatly appreciated! The correction has been made.
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