Simon Kenton was a freak of nature. Highly intelligent, great in battle and unmatched as a woodsman. He only fled to the frontier after beating a man so severely, he thought he killed him. I gotta reread The Frontiersmen, it's honestly the best book I've read.
KET has a wonderful short film called “A Walk with Simon Kenton” in which the actor Clancy Brown portrays Kenton. They could have hardly made a better choice as not only does Clancy have a similar physical stature of Kenton but he’s also a native son of Urbana,Ohio were Simon Kenton is buried. So it’s probably safe to assume Clancy grew up hearing the legends of Simon Kenton. Us Buckeyes claim Kenton as a native son and our greatest Frontiersman too as he spent the last half of his long life in Ohio and was just as important to the settling of Ohio as he was to Kentucky. I don’t think it was made quite clear what an impressive and imposing man Simon was for his time. Not a man I’d tangle with for sure. Yet he was known to be a kind and gentle man to his friends and community. It’s incalculable how many lives Kenton saved not because of his courage and remarkable skill as a fighter but because he made it his business to travel around and teach settlers how to survive in an Indian controlled frontier and how not to die or be killed due to ignorance of the frontier. My favorite legend of Simon was that he was in Kentucky at a wilderness tavern and eating a meal when a group of young rowdy group of surveyors led by non other than Andrew Jackson himself who boasted about whooping all the rowdies in his crew. The story goes that Jackson and his rowdies got drunk and Jackson made the very unfortunate mistake of sucker punching Kenton. It is said that within a minute Jackson was on the floor a bloody mess and that patrons of the bar had to physically pull him off of Jackson to stop Kenton from tomahawking Jackson. If true so much for Jackson’s boast that he never met a man he couldn’t lick. Personally I find the story apocryphal as Jackson was not a stupid man and even if he was blind stinking drunk he wouldn’t have been as suicidally insane to do something as crazy as sucker punch Simon Kenton. Still and all it’s a great story cause everybody knows that though Jackson was a great man he was also a terrible braggart and Simon Kenton was not a man he could have licked. If true it was an incredibly stupid mistake by Jackson as Kenton didn’t fight for sport. He fought seriously to kill.
@@Mottleydude1 I definitely remember the story of him and Andrew Jackson getting in a fight. That one stuck with me. I don't entirely remember the details, but in the book I read, the story describes Jackson as a younger adult, despite dates being given. The problem with this is that his parents would have immigrated more recently than his supposed birthdate, and that would put Jackson's birth overseas. Thereby making him ineligible for any presidency. I'm fuzzy on the exact details, but Jackson should have been 10-15 years older than the description given by Kenton's accounts. Either the story was fabricated, or Andrew Jackson's records were. Honestly, I think either scenario is very possible. Jackson was rough. He's the same guy who shot and killed an attorney in a duel years before he was elected. He gave his opponent time to fire his shot first, which hit his shoulder, and then he took his time to aim carefully and won. He died with that lead ball still in his body.
FINALLY!! I am so happy to see someone put Kenton above Boone in a historical lineup. Without Kenton we have NO Boone.. Literally. Great report, thanks!
I agree with you. Simon Kenton is #1. He was an incredible man and saved Boone’s life more than once and likely more than twice. He saved Boone twice alone, out in front of Fort Boone, when they were being attacked by Indians. Boone had a better publicist, though. That’s why he’s so famous. Also, Kenton went under an assumed name for a lot of his early career in Kentucky, Simon Butler.
My relation saved Boone and his second n command while serving in the American Revolution. Born in Kentucky with a county named after him. I believe he had an uncle who was the first white man ti grow corn in Kentucky.
Having taught history at Simon Kenton High School, I completely agree with your selections. I had the opportunity to drive Dr. Thomas Clark to a conference at Jabez, Kentucky and expressed to him my belief that Simon Kenton did more for for the Commonwealth of Kentucky than Daniel Boone ever thought about doing. Dr. Clark readily agreed with me. In an effort to educate the students throughout the Kenton County School District, I developed a first person Living History presentation entitled Simon Kenton: The Forgotten Frontiersman. I've alway thought that Alan Eckert's book The Frontiersman would make an excellent Hollywood production. Sadly, neither Clint Eastwood, nor Mel Gibson has undertaken the project.
The Frontiersman is too much for a movie. To be done right it would have to be a miniseries. When I read it, I saw it in my head a a miniseries, in the vein of North & South or Centennial.
My wife's 3x great grandfather Thomas Mills was in the Cornstalk Militia with Kenton. He told his grandson he and Simon Kenton were best friends, but he did not like Boone. He was also a Swamp Fox soldier with Francis Marion , He is buried in the Sand Run Cemetery at Francisville. He gave an interview to the local newspaper on his 100th birthday. Thank you for the program.
@@manumuskin I don't have a clue. He lived his last years with his daughter and his grandson wrote down the stories he told. He wrote a book about him I have not found. My ancestor Squire Poteet was most likely named after Squire Boone. His father was a Longhunter that hunted with the Boones. His first cousin Issak Crabtree was with James Boone when he was killed. He escaped with an arrow in his back.
Boone and Kenton were very different people in certain ways. They bonded over hunting game and the vast woodlands they roamed. Simon would stop everywhere and talk with everyone at every station and wanted many people to come enjoy KY for what it was. Boone really I think regretted showing everyone the empire. Boone left for the west because he seen what was to come and really just wanted his own land and peace and quiet and really didn't care to have a lot of people around him.
Agreed! Simon Kenton is hands down the most important pioneer of our state. Most people don't understand how much more hostile the natives in the northern part of our state were than in the rest of the state and as you said, there is plenty of documentation of their fear of Kenton. He may also be the most important pioneer of Ohio as well
@@KentuckyHistoryChannel he definitely was. We live just off US 27 in Kentucky aka Simon Kenton highway and my wife is from Ohio just off 28 which is also Simon Kenton highway
Simon Kenton is without a doubt the greatest frontiersman in Kentucky history!!! The comment below mentions a book titled the 'The Frontiersman' and I highly recommend the reading of this book. It will change your mind about a lot of things.
I would put Simon Kenton as 1st as well. I found reports of one of my husband's ancestor coming to Kentucky on a flat boat down the Ohio River with Simon Kenton. I haven't seen numbers, but I imagine he may have brought more people to Kentucky than Daniel Boone. I'm curious if anyone actually knows. I always enjoy learning more about all of these men and their families. I was just reading the wikipedia page on James Harrod today, and had not realized before then how mysterious his death is. The wiki page gives a few speculations.
My ancestor was Captain James Harris who I'm told knew the Boone family and the Lincolns before Abraham was born. I know he moved from Virginia to Kentucky but I'm not totally sure how early.
Would you put Captain Nathaniel Hart in your top 10 list.??? He paid for the building of the Wilderness Road.....kinda important to the hostory of Kentucky .. Thank God for Kentucky
My great great etc grandfather was Renta John baker, he was a long hunter with Daniel Boone , my family names are carmack , sandlin ,fugate , Allen,these are just a few, my family lived in Kentucky for hundreds of years , eastern Kentucky , thanks for this wonderful video
I agree that Simon Kenton should be ranked first. I would place him first as the most important frontiersman in Ohio (where I was raised) as well. I might have thought that Lewis Wetzel would have been given a mention but I suppose he is more linked to West Virginia.
My great ---grandfather renta Baker, he was a long Hunter, he hunted with Daniel Boone, he was involved in several battles, his son George Baker, who died in the Clay county feud.
My ancestor, Patrick Hourigan, came over from Ireland. My father would tell stories about P. Hourigan, which dad had gathered from research of his family history. Patrick Hourigan's wedding is recorded in Harrodsburg first deed book on page two. His long rifle, which I have, has been passed down through the generations. I heard stories of he and Daniel Boone hunting together, etc. Apparently, my great, great, great grandmother (unsure how many greats... lol) Hurley used to knit Boones stockings, too. Anyway, I enjoyed your video and being able to share a little too.
Laban Records. - Boone once remarked in his old age, " the world had taken great liberties... it is true that I have suffered many hardships and miraculously escape many perils, but others of my companions have experienced the same." Simon Kenton, James Harrod, George Rodgers Clark, Christopher Gist, Casper Mansker, John Floyd, Spencer and Laban Records, Hugh F. Bell, Hancock Taylor, Bland Ballard, and so many other pioneers and their wives endured privation, capture, wounds, loss of loved ones, and came near death. Boone, who loathed putting himself forward, willingly left the limelight to his peers. Source : Page 60, End Notes # 21. - A Sketch of the Life and Character of Daniel Boone.
My Kentucky ancestor was Michael Cresap. He knew William Herrod and I ran into a descendant of Herrod’s several years ago in Lexington. It’s a small world in Kentucky Geneology. 😃
I'm a decendant of John Teneretta "Renta" Baker (Long Hunter) and Elisha Harrison (Long Hunter) having roles in Boonesborough Fort and Daniel Boone himself. Reverand John J. Dickey's Diary says that John and Elisha Harrison were two of the original long hunters that came to Kentucky in the mid 1700's. Elisha settled on what is now known as Elisha's Branch Road, just north of McKee, Kentucky. He was living there when Daniel Boone first came through this area. Daniel spent some time at Elisha's house before going on to central Kentucky. Daniel Boone's Sheltowee Trace goes down Elisha's Branch. It is believed that John went with Daniel and helped to build Fort Boonesbrough. Erection of Fort Boonesbrough began in April, 1775 and was completed in July 1776. Records from Boonesbrough mention a John Harrison and a Jack Harrison. People with the name of John were sometimes called 'Jack'. There is also a Samuel and Richard Harrison in the Boonesbrough records. Madison County Historical Society records say that John Harrison helped to construct the fort. He later left the fort and settled on some of the best portions of the county, through settlement and premption rights.
This list sounds pretty fair to me, but within Mason County (Maysville), the top three for me would be Simon Kenton, John May, & Samuel Strode, & others to consider would be James May, George Lewis, & possibly Jacob Boone. Maysville was named for John May, May's Lick was named for James May, Lewisburg was named for George Lewis, & Strode's Run Road was named for Samuel Strode, a cousin to Rebecca Bryan Boone (her Grandmother Bryan was Strode's aunt).
So many names you could list from small roles to larger roles as you mentioned. James Harrod probably one of the biggest in terms of starting up the state with fortifications. Guys like Cornielius Washburn had places in the history books as well. Have you ever read "The Frontiersman" by Alan Ekert?
Outstanding move placing Simon Kenton at #1. Boone nor Clark would have been as well known without his help. An equal to Clark in size and brawn, and was a young man in Boone's time, when Boone was older and smaller. Kenton was often refered to as someone who could out "Boone" Boone (or out "Indian" the Indian) If you visit Fort Boonseboro today and read the names of the settlers who lived there, you will find the names: Simon Kenton and Simon "Butler" as Kenton is listed twice. First known as Simon Butler, the natives feared the Giant "But-Lar" far more than any other frontiersman.
I think Daniel Boone became more famous because he chose to be a scout for the Military whereas Kenton declined. The most tragic for Kenton was when things settled down and he went to live on his land that he had claimed with the "hatchet mark" rules, other settlers kept squatting on it and taking him to court. He was unfortunately illiterate and couldn't effectively fight them in court and lost essentially all of his land to lawyers and scoundrels. Point Pleasant Ohio has his mark as well where he was rescued by fellow trappers after an Indian attack. The book series "The Frontiersmen" by Allen Eckert is an amazing reference to his entire life and exploits. I love these stories thanks for creating this.
My ancestor Captain Samuel Stalnaker. He was a German hunter trapper residing with Indians. I believe his cabin was in West Virginia. He lived furthest west than any European in 1750 so I’ve read and a early hunter through the Cumberland gap. He was also captured and escaped from Shawnee, he lost a son and wife in that particular incident.
Most of my Kentucky ancestral connections were in the background of these leading frontiersmen. William Russell, Richard Henderson just to name two. Land speculators that financed these long hunters and frontiersmen.
Do you think Michael Stoner deserves a mention at all in the top 10? This is a difficult list to compile based on what the criteria are for inclusion. As seen in the comments there are many worthy, and in the territory prior to Boone et al. paving the way. Is the settlement of Kentucky the criteria? Is it scrapes with the indians and escapes that make one important? Is it surveying the land? There is so much that goes into this list. I agree with your ranking and you now have a new channel subscriber. Thanks for these videos!
He definitely does. Been thinking of doing a top 10 or a forgotten frontiersmen video. It’s so easy to focus on the ones that have received more attention over the years. Thank you for subscribing and glad you enjoyed it! More to come!
My 5th GGF David Glenn and his brother Thomas were with Harrod in 1774 and are listed on the monument in Harrodsburg. David Glenn helped Harrod get gunpowder to the KY settlers in 1777 along with Kenton and he fought with George Rogers Clark several times during his Illinois Campaigns, including Kaskaskia and Vincennes. He was one of the primary hunters for Fort Harrod probably upwards to 2 years; he spent the winter of 77-78 hauling meat back to Harrod’s Station from present day Glen’s Fork (named after him). After the war he moved west and settled where Owensboro is now and was a big part of setting up the government there (although I don’t, a lot of my family still lives in Owensboro including my uncle). His brother Thomas wasn’t as lucky and died in 1777 at Fort Wheeling. Glenn’s Creek outside Frankfort is named after him and Glenn’s Run in Wheeling probably is as well. I love frontier history, thanks for the video and keeping the memory of all these great men alive.
My Grandma’s family on my dads side are so in grained into the Founding of this country it’s insane. Her Great Great Grandpa was Oliver Hazard Perry Mcwhorter. In the Family tree there are Moore’s. Cline’s,Mcclure’s ,Marcum’s. Steele’s, Also I am a direct descendant of Perry Cline the attorney for the McCoy’s in the Hatfield and McCoy Feud. Also her dad is Laben T Kirk. I cannot find any information on the Kirk side of the family
My forebear, Benjamin Roach Kelley was a settler at Boonesboro and is listed on the commerative wall at the State Park. He also was responsible for having Daniel Boone released when he was caught by the Indians. Benjamin also had many encounters with Simon Girty. At one point he was captured by Indians and taken up close to modern day Pontiac Michigan. He made friends with a squaw and was taught the language and thereafter she helped him escape from capture.After escape he utilized his grasp of their language to help broker with the help of Colonel McKee a multitribe peace treaty . Upon resettling into Kentucky he started one of the first Baptist Churches outside of Harrodsburg then later moved to Ohio County in Western Kentucky where he started another church. There is a brass tomahawk which he recieved as a gift for brokering the Indian peace treaty which is passed to every male descendant in each generation with his namesake.
Would love to see y'all do a show about the native American presence in KY during the frontier exploration. Which tribes and where were they based out of. Maybe there's already an episode that details all of this but I'm new to your channel and haven't gone through all your content. Thanks for your channel. Kentucky.... The original western frontier.
The Skaggs brothers: Charles, Henry, Richard, Jacob, Moses John. These 6 brothers preceded Boone and other Long Hunters into Kentucky paving the way through Cumberland Gap for Boone and other explorers. Boone used "Skaggs Trace", carved out by these brothers, to bring settlers into Kentucky. The Skaggs were settling the Barren's region in south-central KY (the current counties of Barren, Green, Hart, Taylor, etc.) along the Green River at the same time as the more well-known areas of Harrodsburg, Boonesboro, etc. Henry Skaggs' life was documented in the book "Cyrus Edwards Stories of Early Days", and the "Draper Manuscripts" (by Lyman Draper) chapter on the "Life of Daniel Boone". Boone would not be well known except for the writings of Filson and Draper. Boone should be further down the list.
John Wildcat McKinney, a veteran of the Revolutionary War, was one of the surveyors of Kentucky, first Lexington school teacher, signed first KY constitution.
His grandson was George Wallace Crutcher, the mayor of East Dallas, when the merged with Dallas. This Crutcher family tried to start a trotter racing industry in the DFW area, shipped in 6 carloads of trotters around 1880, but it never took off, as it did in KY. G.W. great grandson was the campaign manager of Senator Lloyd Benson of Texas, 60-70's, that family were successful attorneys in Dallas starting about 1880.
I had the same top four in the same order. At keast seven of my direct ancestors served under George Rogers Clark, and I’m a lifelong resident of Clark County, Indiana.
I'd put George Roger's Clark first. The courage, determination, and leadership he showed in his final campaign to retake Vincennes from the British was outstanding. Not to mention the physical and monetary sacrifice he gave to secure the area. Had it not been for his connections and military prowess kenton, Boone, and the rest of them would either have died or been driven out of the country.
Big Joe Logsdon He was a Kentucky frontiersman. Joe Logsdon was a guide to George Washington, an Indian fighter, a military officer, a father, a husband, and a protector of the frontier. He was superior in physical strength, size, and fighting prowess. He came to the frontier to make a better life, and nothing would make him go back.
The list should be Boone then Col William Whitley whose home is still standing in Crab Orchard. He led a Kentucky Militia to the War of 1812 and he was 64yrs old. He faced off with Tecumseh and that day they both died noble warriors.
No mention of Elisha Wallin the longhunter who explored the Cumberland Gap before Boone. Elisha named many locations and streams including Wallins Creek Kentucky and in Tennessee.
Yes our first family member that came to this country was Ralph Wallen who arrived at Plymouth colony with his wife Joyce from England in 1623. They were aboard the 3rd ship to Plymouth, named Anne. Elisha Wallin or Wallen was a contemporary of Daniel Boone and he led the first documented hunt across the Cumberland Gap and into todays state of Tennessee. He is recognized as being responsible for naming many places and streams along his travels. Some include Wallin’s Creek, Powell’s Mountain, Valley, and River, Clinch River. Some history states that Elisha created the Wilderness Trail 7 years before Daniel Boone. The Wallen family also owned the land that Lincoln Memorial University sits today in Harrogate Tennessee. There is a lot of information available to research on our family. Thank you for your response!
In “When They Hanged the Fiddler”, by Jess Wilson, page 90, Indians had captured Daniel Boone's daughter and two Calloway girls in Boonesbrough. Elisha was in a party that rescued the Boone and Calloway girlsJemima, daughter of Daniel Boone, and Elizabeth and Frances, daughters of Colonel Richard Callaway from the Indians. It also says that Harrison family traditions are the source for the story that the rescue happened below McKee, Ky.They were captured by a Cherokee-Shawnee raiding party and rescued by Daniel Boone and his party, celebrated for their success. The incident was portrayed in 19th-century literature and paintings: James Fenimore Cooper created a fictionalized version of the episode in his novel The Last of the Mohicans (1826). The incident was the subject of a painting entitled The Abduction of Boone's Daughter by the Indians (c. 1855) by Charles Ferdinand Wimar.
Having studied the lives of both Boone and Kenton extensively, I'd be inclined to call it a draw. Although Boone was about 20 years older than Kenton and probably the senior when both men we together, I believe Boone would have respected Kenton's ambitions and energy...almost seeing a younger version of himself in Kenton. Both men contributed so much, I find it difficult to declare a Number 1. That is a very nice video presentation and you make good reasons for your choices.
He was a complex man. Covered him in an early episode. KHP - Ep. 42 Simon Girty: The Sometimes Un-American, American th-cam.com/video/ILidm3m4sZg/w-d-xo.html
Kenton would have owned Kentucky if tomahawk improvements would have been accepted by wealthy educated men in the east that where in charge of government policy.
Kenton ran from cumberland falls to fort boonesbourough to save Boone...some 90 miles on foot with full musket and hunting load....Kenton is definetly number one and should be way more reconized as a great american historical figure than he is
Allan eckert had Kenton at 6’5” 250. Biggest man on the frontier. Beat Andrew Jackson’s ass in a bar fight. Kenton didn’t drink and was there to meet a friend and a drunken jackson sucker punched him and quickly found himself beaten.
My next 5 that are NOT on your list would be Squire Boone, John Floyd,Thomas Walker, James Knox and Jacob Drennon and also Thomas Bullitt. Who knows wow far they would have gone if not for dieing so young.
Danielle Boone didn't blaze the trail to Ky he just widened the trail he was in trouble with Virginia over taxes and that's how he got out of trouble with Virginia Simon Kenton deserves to be #1 but you left out Henry Scaggs he deserves to be acknowledged That's just my opinion
Simon Kenton was a freak of nature. Highly intelligent, great in battle and unmatched as a woodsman. He only fled to the frontier after beating a man so severely, he thought he killed him. I gotta reread The Frontiersmen, it's honestly the best book I've read.
As they say nowadays, he was built different.
KET has a wonderful short film called “A Walk with Simon Kenton” in which the actor Clancy Brown portrays Kenton. They could have hardly made a better choice as not only does Clancy have a similar physical stature of Kenton but he’s also a native son of Urbana,Ohio were Simon Kenton is buried. So it’s probably safe to assume Clancy grew up hearing the legends of Simon Kenton. Us Buckeyes claim Kenton as a native son and our greatest Frontiersman too as he spent the last half of his long life in Ohio and was just as important to the settling of Ohio as he was to Kentucky.
I don’t think it was made quite clear what an impressive and imposing man Simon was for his time. Not a man I’d tangle with for sure. Yet he was known to be a kind and gentle man to his friends and community. It’s incalculable how many lives Kenton saved not because of his courage and remarkable skill as a fighter but because he made it his business to travel around and teach settlers how to survive in an Indian controlled frontier and how not to die or be killed due to ignorance of the frontier.
My favorite legend of Simon was that he was in Kentucky at a wilderness tavern and eating a meal when a group of young rowdy group of surveyors led by non other than Andrew Jackson himself who boasted about whooping all the rowdies in his crew. The story goes that Jackson and his rowdies got drunk and Jackson made the very unfortunate mistake of sucker punching Kenton. It is said that within a minute Jackson was on the floor a bloody mess and that patrons of the bar had to physically pull him off of Jackson to stop Kenton from tomahawking Jackson. If true so much for Jackson’s boast that he never met a man he couldn’t lick.
Personally I find the story apocryphal as Jackson was not a stupid man and even if he was blind stinking drunk he wouldn’t have been as suicidally insane to do something as crazy as sucker punch Simon Kenton.
Still and all it’s a great story cause everybody knows that though Jackson was a great man he was also a terrible braggart and Simon Kenton was not a man he could have licked. If true it was an incredibly stupid mistake by Jackson as Kenton didn’t fight for sport. He fought seriously to kill.
@@Mottleydude1
I definitely remember the story of him and Andrew Jackson getting in a fight. That one stuck with me. I don't entirely remember the details, but in the book I read, the story describes Jackson as a younger adult, despite dates being given. The problem with this is that his parents would have immigrated more recently than his supposed birthdate, and that would put Jackson's birth overseas. Thereby making him ineligible for any presidency. I'm fuzzy on the exact details, but Jackson should have been 10-15 years older than the description given by Kenton's accounts.
Either the story was fabricated, or Andrew Jackson's records were. Honestly, I think either scenario is very possible. Jackson was rough. He's the same guy who shot and killed an attorney in a duel years before he was elected. He gave his opponent time to fire his shot first, which hit his shoulder, and then he took his time to aim carefully and won. He died with that lead ball still in his body.
I agree the Frontiersmen is a must read. Simon Kenton's story is a great adventure.
I'm from KY and proud of it - but I must point out ,someone "Highly Intelligent" in KY is a freak of nature - just sayin
Finally, Simon Kenton getting the recognition he deserves.
He had an amazing life!
Simon Girty was friends with him
FINALLY!! I am so happy to see someone put Kenton above Boone in a historical lineup. Without Kenton we have NO Boone.. Literally. Great report, thanks!
My family were big here!! Shields family and Tipton family, they were part of Lewis and Clark expedition ❤
I enjoyed your presentation and your selections. Those Frontiersmen were exceptional men.
I would agree on Simon Kenton.
I agree with you. Simon Kenton is #1. He was an incredible man and saved Boone’s life more than once and likely more than twice. He saved Boone twice alone, out in front of Fort Boone, when they were being attacked by Indians.
Boone had a better publicist, though. That’s why he’s so famous. Also, Kenton went under an assumed name for a lot of his early career in Kentucky, Simon Butler.
The Simon Butler factor of his life makes him even more interesting.
My relation saved Boone and his second n command while serving in the American Revolution. Born in Kentucky with a county named after him. I believe he had an uncle who was the first white man ti grow corn in Kentucky.
Having taught history at Simon Kenton High School, I completely agree with your selections. I had the opportunity to drive Dr. Thomas Clark to a conference at Jabez, Kentucky and expressed to him my belief that Simon Kenton did more for for the Commonwealth of Kentucky than Daniel Boone ever thought about doing. Dr. Clark readily agreed with me. In an effort to educate the students throughout the Kenton County School District, I developed a first person Living History presentation entitled Simon Kenton: The Forgotten Frontiersman. I've alway thought that Alan Eckert's book The Frontiersman would make an excellent Hollywood production. Sadly, neither Clint Eastwood, nor Mel Gibson has undertaken the project.
That’s awesome and we applaud your efforts! Totally agree, Simon Kenton needs to be put on the forefront of Ky history.
The Frontiersman is too much for a movie. To be done right it would have to be a miniseries. When I read it, I saw it in my head a a miniseries, in the vein of North & South or Centennial.
My ancestors came to Kentucky with Daniel Boone on his second trip. He will always be number one to me. Without him, I would not be here today.
Many Indians agree that you would not be here.
My wife's 3x great grandfather Thomas Mills was in the Cornstalk Militia with Kenton. He told his grandson he and Simon Kenton were best friends, but he did not like Boone. He was also a Swamp Fox soldier with Francis Marion , He is buried in the Sand Run Cemetery at Francisville. He gave an interview to the local newspaper on his 100th birthday. Thank you for the program.
The Swamp Fox is another good historical figure!
Why did he not like Boone? I’m actually Boones cousin, I’m descended from his grandfather and his paternal aunt
@@manumuskin I don't have a clue. He lived his last years with his daughter and his grandson wrote down the stories he told. He wrote a book about him I have not found. My ancestor Squire Poteet was most likely named after Squire Boone. His father was a Longhunter that hunted with the Boones. His first cousin Issak Crabtree was with James Boone when he was killed. He escaped with an arrow in his back.
Boone and Kenton were very different people in certain ways. They bonded over hunting game and the vast woodlands they roamed. Simon would stop everywhere and talk with everyone at every station and wanted many people to come enjoy KY for what it was. Boone really I think regretted showing everyone the empire. Boone left for the west because he seen what was to come and really just wanted his own land and peace and quiet and really didn't care to have a lot of people around him.
@@manumuskin ..
You are 100% correct!
I agree with your order of greatness, and Simon Kenton was indeed number 1!
Highly enjoyed the podcasts on Simon Kenton. Excellent work as usual!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
Agreed! Simon Kenton is hands down the most important pioneer of our state. Most people don't understand how much more hostile the natives in the northern part of our state were than in the rest of the state and as you said, there is plenty of documentation of their fear of Kenton. He may also be the most important pioneer of Ohio as well
He was very important to Ohio too.
@@KentuckyHistoryChannel he definitely was. We live just off US 27 in Kentucky aka Simon Kenton highway and my wife is from Ohio just off 28 which is also Simon Kenton highway
I have to agree with your number one!!!
i actualy grew up on Simon Kenton farm in Maysville Ky my family owned it for years family is mentioned in the book the frontiersmen
That’s awesome!
Concur with your choice of Simon Kenton. His is a remarkable story.
Thank you! And you’re right, an amazing man!
Kenton is def #1 and one of my heroes!
Lewis Wetzel should have been on this list... maybe
Jameson I agree with your lineup whole heartedly!
concur...certainly some close calls among the honorable candidates, but your rankings are solid...
Cool, my friend,,,here from Clark County 😊
I agree with your choices. Wish they would make a movie or mini series out of The Frontiersman or something on Simon Kenton.
I agree. I would love to see Simon Kenton on the big screen!
Simon Kenton is without a doubt the greatest frontiersman in Kentucky history!!! The comment below mentions a book titled the 'The Frontiersman' and I highly recommend the reading of this book. It will change your mind about a lot of things.
It is a great book!
I would put Simon Kenton as 1st as well. I found reports of one of my husband's ancestor coming to Kentucky on a flat boat down the Ohio River with Simon Kenton. I haven't seen numbers, but I imagine he may have brought more people to Kentucky than Daniel Boone. I'm curious if anyone actually knows. I always enjoy learning more about all of these men and their families. I was just reading the wikipedia page on James Harrod today, and had not realized before then how mysterious his death is. The wiki page gives a few speculations.
That is a great question, how many did Kenton and Boone bring, and one I’ve wondered about too.
My ancestor was Captain James Harris who I'm told knew the Boone family and the Lincolns before Abraham was born. I know he moved from Virginia to Kentucky but I'm not totally sure how early.
Pretty awesome connection!
Would you put Captain Nathaniel Hart in your top 10 list.??? He paid for the building of the Wilderness Road.....kinda important to the hostory of Kentucky ..
Thank God for Kentucky
Definitely would be in the discussion! A top ten would be crowded.
@@KentuckyHistoryChannel Dr Thomas Walker deserves a mention too.
@@bellcountytourism3294 yes! He would be a must in the top ten.
@@bellcountytourism3294 also, know anyone interested in doing a Bell County History episode?
Simon Kenton number one and the rest of your choices I also feel is right on. Simon Kenton is one of my favorite studies.
He was an extraordinary man!
My 5th G grandfather was Henry Skaggs. I’m proud to be a descendant of such a legendary Frontiersman.
@@debboyermaevers9555 He was mine also
My great great etc grandfather was Renta John baker, he was a long hunter with Daniel Boone , my family names are carmack , sandlin ,fugate , Allen,these are just a few, my family lived in Kentucky for hundreds of years , eastern Kentucky , thanks for this wonderful video
Thank you for the kind words! Glad you enjoyed it.
Very good job. I have to agree 100% with your picks. Simon Kent on was just a man's man.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
yes, Simon Kenton is #1!
Can't argue with that list great video
Thank you!
Definitely agree with your number one choice.
I agree that Simon Kenton should be ranked first. I would place him first as the most important frontiersman in Ohio (where I was raised) as well.
I might have thought that Lewis Wetzel would have been given a mention but I suppose he is more linked to West Virginia.
Very true, Simon Kenton was very important to Ohio too.
My great ---grandfather renta Baker, he was a long Hunter, he hunted with Daniel Boone, he was involved in several battles, his son George Baker, who died in the Clay county feud.
My ancestor, Patrick Hourigan, came over from Ireland. My father would tell stories about P. Hourigan, which dad had gathered from research of his family history. Patrick Hourigan's wedding is recorded in Harrodsburg first deed book on page two. His long rifle, which I have, has been passed down through the generations. I heard stories of he and Daniel Boone hunting together, etc. Apparently, my great, great, great grandmother (unsure how many greats... lol) Hurley used to knit Boones stockings, too. Anyway, I enjoyed your video and being able to share a little too.
Thank you for sharing. That is an awesome connection! Someone needs to write a book about him.
Agreed. Simon Kenton was number one.
I agree about Simon Kenton
Excellent!
Great video
Laban Records. - Boone once remarked in his old age, " the world had taken great liberties... it is true that I have suffered many hardships and miraculously escape many perils, but others of my companions have experienced the same." Simon Kenton, James Harrod, George Rodgers Clark, Christopher Gist, Casper Mansker, John Floyd, Spencer and Laban Records, Hugh F. Bell, Hancock Taylor, Bland Ballard, and so many other pioneers and their wives endured privation, capture, wounds, loss of loved ones, and came near death. Boone, who loathed putting himself forward, willingly left the limelight to his peers.
Source : Page 60, End Notes # 21. - A Sketch of the Life and Character of Daniel Boone.
My Kentucky ancestor was Michael Cresap. He knew William Herrod and I ran into a descendant of Herrod’s several years ago in Lexington. It’s a small world in Kentucky Geneology. 😃
Totally agree with your choice of #1 Simon Kenton. 👍🏻
He was a great frontiersmen! Thanks for watching!
I'm a decendant of John Teneretta "Renta" Baker (Long Hunter) and Elisha Harrison (Long Hunter) having roles in Boonesborough Fort and Daniel Boone himself.
Reverand John J. Dickey's Diary says that John and Elisha Harrison were two of the original long hunters that came to Kentucky in the mid 1700's. Elisha settled on what is now known as Elisha's Branch Road, just north of McKee, Kentucky. He was living there when Daniel Boone first came through this area. Daniel spent some time at Elisha's house before going on to central Kentucky. Daniel Boone's Sheltowee Trace goes down Elisha's Branch. It is believed that John went with Daniel and helped to build Fort Boonesbrough. Erection of Fort Boonesbrough began in April, 1775 and was completed in July 1776. Records from Boonesbrough mention a John Harrison and a Jack Harrison. People with the name of John were sometimes called 'Jack'. There is also a Samuel and Richard Harrison in the Boonesbrough records. Madison County Historical Society records say that John Harrison helped to construct the fort. He later left the fort and settled on some of the best portions of the county, through settlement and premption rights.
This list sounds pretty fair to me, but within Mason County (Maysville), the top three for me would be Simon Kenton, John May, & Samuel Strode, & others to consider would be James May, George Lewis, & possibly Jacob Boone. Maysville was named for John May, May's Lick was named for James May, Lewisburg was named for George Lewis, & Strode's Run Road was named for Samuel Strode, a cousin to Rebecca Bryan Boone (her Grandmother Bryan was Strode's aunt).
That’s a pretty good list too! We’ll need to do some videos on these names too.
So many names you could list from small roles to larger roles as you mentioned. James Harrod probably one of the biggest in terms of starting up the state with fortifications. Guys like Cornielius Washburn had places in the history books as well. Have you ever read "The Frontiersman" by Alan Ekert?
Yes, The Frontiersmen is an amazing book!
Alan Ekert "The Frontiersman"
Outstanding move placing Simon Kenton at #1. Boone nor Clark would have been as well known without his help. An equal to Clark in size and brawn, and was a young man in Boone's time, when Boone was older and smaller. Kenton was often refered to as someone who could out "Boone" Boone (or out "Indian" the Indian) If you visit Fort Boonseboro today and read the names of the settlers who lived there, you will find the names: Simon Kenton and Simon "Butler" as Kenton is listed twice. First known as Simon Butler, the natives feared the Giant "But-Lar" far more than any other frontiersman.
I think Daniel Boone became more famous because he chose to be a scout for the Military whereas Kenton declined. The most tragic for Kenton was when things settled down and he went to live on his land that he had claimed with the "hatchet mark" rules, other settlers kept squatting on it and taking him to court. He was unfortunately illiterate and couldn't effectively fight them in court and lost essentially all of his land to lawyers and scoundrels. Point Pleasant Ohio has his mark as well where he was rescued by fellow trappers after an Indian attack. The book series "The Frontiersmen" by Allen Eckert is an amazing reference to his entire life and exploits. I love these stories thanks for creating this.
Yes! Great points! The Frontiersmen is a great book!
Very cool
My ancestor Captain Samuel Stalnaker. He was a German hunter trapper residing with Indians. I believe his cabin was in West Virginia. He lived furthest west than any European in 1750 so I’ve read and a early hunter through the Cumberland gap. He was also captured and escaped from Shawnee, he lost a son and wife in that particular incident.
My 4th Great Grandfather founded Parmleysville KY. It was his Bounty land for fighting in The Revolutionary War. John Parmley
I’m a descendant of Boone but Kenton was superhuman!
Most of my Kentucky ancestral connections were in the background of these leading frontiersmen. William Russell, Richard Henderson just to name two. Land speculators that financed these long hunters and frontiersmen.
Do you think Michael Stoner deserves a mention at all in the top 10? This is a difficult list to compile based on what the criteria are for inclusion. As seen in the comments there are many worthy, and in the territory prior to Boone et al. paving the way. Is the settlement of Kentucky the criteria? Is it scrapes with the indians and escapes that make one important? Is it surveying the land? There is so much that goes into this list. I agree with your ranking and you now have a new channel subscriber. Thanks for these videos!
He definitely does. Been thinking of doing a top 10 or a forgotten frontiersmen video. It’s so easy to focus on the ones that have received more attention over the years. Thank you for subscribing and glad you enjoyed it! More to come!
Simon Kenton , hands down #1
My 5th GGF David Glenn and his brother Thomas were with Harrod in 1774 and are listed on the monument in Harrodsburg. David Glenn helped Harrod get gunpowder to the KY settlers in 1777 along with Kenton and he fought with George Rogers Clark several times during his Illinois Campaigns, including Kaskaskia and Vincennes. He was one of the primary hunters for Fort Harrod probably upwards to 2 years; he spent the winter of 77-78 hauling meat back to Harrod’s Station from present day Glen’s Fork (named after him). After the war he moved west and settled where Owensboro is now and was a big part of setting up the government there (although I don’t, a lot of my family still lives in Owensboro including my uncle).
His brother Thomas wasn’t as lucky and died in 1777 at Fort Wheeling. Glenn’s Creek outside Frankfort is named after him and Glenn’s Run in Wheeling probably is as well.
I love frontier history, thanks for the video and keeping the memory of all these great men alive.
Wow! That’s some good connections! Glad you’re enjoying the frontiersmen coverage, more to come!
I agree with you choices
My Grandma’s family on my dads side are so in grained into the Founding of this country it’s insane. Her Great Great Grandpa was Oliver Hazard Perry Mcwhorter. In the Family tree there are Moore’s. Cline’s,Mcclure’s ,Marcum’s. Steele’s, Also I am a direct descendant of Perry Cline the attorney for the McCoy’s in the Hatfield and McCoy Feud. Also her dad is Laben T Kirk. I cannot find any information on the Kirk side of the family
I’m a descendant of Daniel Boone’s older brother Iseral Boone and I believe you got your order correct. I too would place Kenton in front of Boone.
My forebear, Benjamin Roach Kelley was a settler at Boonesboro and is listed on the commerative wall at the State Park. He also was responsible for having Daniel Boone released when he was caught by the Indians. Benjamin also had many encounters with Simon Girty. At one point he was captured by Indians and taken up close to modern day Pontiac Michigan. He made friends with a squaw and was taught the language and thereafter she helped him escape from capture.After escape he utilized his grasp of their language to help broker with the help of Colonel McKee a multitribe peace treaty . Upon resettling into Kentucky he started one of the first Baptist Churches outside of Harrodsburg then later moved to Ohio County in Western Kentucky where he started another church. There is a brass tomahawk which he recieved as a gift for brokering the Indian peace treaty which is passed to every male descendant in each generation with his namesake.
My grandma s maiden name was Roach .She was half Cherokee through her mom.
She grew up around Cave City Ky.
Excellent video !!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
No mention of Knox or Ben Lynn?
Love it
Would love to see y'all do a show about the native American presence in KY during the frontier exploration. Which tribes and where were they based out of. Maybe there's already an episode that details all of this but I'm new to your channel and haven't gone through all your content. Thanks for your channel. Kentucky.... The original western frontier.
Simon Kenton! :-)
The Skaggs brothers: Charles, Henry, Richard, Jacob, Moses John. These 6 brothers preceded Boone and other Long Hunters into Kentucky paving the way through Cumberland Gap for Boone and other explorers. Boone used "Skaggs Trace", carved out by these brothers, to bring settlers into Kentucky. The Skaggs were settling the Barren's region in south-central KY (the current counties of Barren, Green, Hart, Taylor, etc.) along the Green River at the same time as the more well-known areas of Harrodsburg, Boonesboro, etc. Henry Skaggs' life was documented in the book "Cyrus Edwards Stories of Early Days", and the "Draper Manuscripts" (by Lyman Draper) chapter on the "Life of Daniel Boone". Boone would not be well known except for the writings of Filson and Draper.
Boone should be further down the list.
Maysville, Kentucky boy here.
John Wildcat McKinney, a veteran of the Revolutionary War, was one of the surveyors of Kentucky, first Lexington school teacher, signed first KY constitution.
He’s a good one too!
His grandson was George Wallace Crutcher, the mayor of East Dallas, when the merged with Dallas. This Crutcher family tried to start a trotter racing industry in the DFW area, shipped in 6 carloads of trotters around 1880, but it never took off, as it did in KY. G.W. great grandson was the campaign manager of Senator Lloyd Benson of Texas, 60-70's, that family were successful attorneys in Dallas starting about 1880.
Boone is number one for me.
Just found your channel I live in Nicholasville we are practically neighbors
Awesome! Nicholasville is a great town!
I
I've in Canada so only observe KY history from afar. I wonder why Christopher Gist is not on the list. I'd like to know more about him.
He’s another good one we’ll need to cover! Thanks for watching!
I had the same top four in the same order. At keast seven of my direct ancestors served under George Rogers Clark, and I’m a lifelong resident of Clark County, Indiana.
Very cool ancestors and connections!
I'd put George Roger's Clark first. The courage, determination, and leadership he showed in his final campaign to retake Vincennes from the British was outstanding. Not to mention the physical and monetary sacrifice he gave to secure the area. Had it not been for his connections and military prowess kenton, Boone, and the rest of them would either have died or been driven out of the country.
Rodgers Rangers where crazy tough. They built ice skates and would skate on the frozen rivers to make better time.
Portrait by David Wright out of Middle TN
What about Louis whetzel, ebinezer Zane, jonathon Zane, and Sam mccullach ?
Big Joe Logsdon
He was a Kentucky frontiersman. Joe Logsdon was a guide to George Washington, an Indian fighter, a military officer, a father, a husband, and a protector of the frontier. He was superior in physical strength, size, and fighting prowess. He came to the frontier to make a better life, and nothing would make him go back.
The list should be Boone then Col William Whitley whose home is still standing in Crab Orchard. He led a Kentucky Militia to the War of 1812 and he was 64yrs old. He faced off with Tecumseh and that day they both died noble warriors.
Whitley was very important to early Kentucky history. Visited his house many times.
It's documented that Harrodshurg Kentucky is the first Town that was founded in 1774 the very first settlement in Kentucky people
Yes, it is!
Simon Kenton was #1 of all time !
No mention of Elisha Wallin the longhunter who explored the Cumberland Gap before Boone. Elisha named many locations and streams including Wallins Creek Kentucky and in Tennessee.
Very true! I’m guessing a possible ancestor?
Yes our first family member that came to this country was Ralph Wallen who arrived at Plymouth colony with his wife Joyce from England in 1623. They were aboard the 3rd ship to Plymouth, named Anne. Elisha Wallin or Wallen was a contemporary of Daniel Boone and he led the first documented hunt across the Cumberland Gap and into todays state of Tennessee. He is recognized as being responsible for naming many places and streams along his travels. Some include Wallin’s Creek, Powell’s Mountain, Valley, and River, Clinch River. Some history states that Elisha created the Wilderness Trail 7 years before Daniel Boone. The Wallen family also owned the land that Lincoln Memorial University sits today in Harrogate Tennessee. There is a lot of information available to research on our family. Thank you for your response!
@@rogerwallin5009 we may need to make a video about him!
In “When They Hanged the Fiddler”, by Jess Wilson, page 90, Indians had captured Daniel Boone's daughter and two Calloway girls in Boonesbrough. Elisha was in a party that rescued the Boone and Calloway girlsJemima, daughter of Daniel Boone, and Elizabeth and Frances, daughters of Colonel Richard Callaway from the Indians. It also says that Harrison family traditions are the source for the story that the rescue happened below McKee, Ky.They were captured by a Cherokee-Shawnee raiding party and rescued by Daniel Boone and his party, celebrated for their success. The incident was portrayed in 19th-century literature and paintings: James Fenimore Cooper created a fictionalized version of the episode in his novel The Last of the Mohicans (1826). The incident was the subject of a painting entitled The Abduction of Boone's Daughter by the Indians (c. 1855) by Charles Ferdinand Wimar.
Although Simon Kenton is my favorite, I would have to put George Rogers Clark number one in terms of impact. His ability to inspire was unbelievable.
Very true!
My 5th great grandfather, Thomas Walker
For a top 10 list add knox and Ben lynn!
Yes, both of those are two good ones. We’re planning on doing an unknown frontiersmen video.
Was John Floyd related to John Reid who settled what is now Paris Kentucky?
Elisha Harrison's son donated land to the formation of Berea College and was one of the 1st Trustees
How about Henry Skags, James Mooney or any of the long hunters?
Long hunters definitely played a big role! Got some content coming out about Skaggs in the next few months.
Having studied the lives of both Boone and Kenton extensively, I'd be inclined to call it a draw.
Although Boone was about 20 years older than Kenton and probably the senior when both men we together, I believe Boone would have respected Kenton's ambitions and energy...almost seeing a younger version of himself in Kenton. Both men contributed so much, I find it difficult to declare a Number 1. That is a very nice video presentation and you make good reasons for your choices.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed! You’re right about Boone too.
What do you think of John Finley? Do you know much about him?
He would be another great frontiersmen to cover. I know the basics about him, would probably need to research up a little before an episode.
I would love that. I am a Finley and have been looking, not exensivley, trying to learn more about him.
Always disappointed if Simon Gurty doesn’t get mentioned. Deeply complex man, deeply complex impact on both sides of the revolutionary period.
He was a complex man. Covered him in an early episode. KHP - Ep. 42 Simon Girty: The Sometimes Un-American, American
th-cam.com/video/ILidm3m4sZg/w-d-xo.html
I think a good six would be Squire Boone. Like your list though
Yes, Squire would be a great six!
You never mentioned the name Hudspeth who founded Franklin Kentucky,
Kenton would have owned Kentucky if tomahawk improvements would have been accepted by wealthy educated men in the east that where in charge of government policy.
What about Jean Martin? God's Blessing from Northern Germany :~)
We’ll need to research him. Thank you for watching!
John Finley or Findley
Kenton ran from cumberland falls to fort boonesbourough to save Boone...some 90 miles on foot with full musket and hunting load....Kenton is definetly number one and should be way more reconized as a great american historical figure than he is
Agree!
No Squire Boone?
He’s definitely a top 10.
You for got William Whitley
He would be in our top 10 for sure!
Daniel paid the price for being in Kentucky, he lost two sons and a brother to the natives.
Allan eckert had Kenton at 6’5” 250. Biggest man on the frontier. Beat Andrew Jackson’s ass in a bar fight. Kenton didn’t drink and was there to meet a friend and a drunken jackson sucker punched him and quickly found himself beaten.
My next 5 that are NOT on your list would be Squire Boone, John Floyd,Thomas Walker, James Knox and Jacob Drennon and also Thomas Bullitt. Who knows wow far they would have gone if not for dieing so young.
Very good list! All played a great role in creating Kentucky!
Danielle Boone didn't blaze the trail to Ky he just widened the trail he was in trouble with Virginia over taxes and that's how he got out of trouble with Virginia Simon Kenton deserves to be #1 but you left out Henry Scaggs he deserves to be acknowledged
That's just my opinion