Kentucky Ancestors Genealogical Quarterly of The
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Vol. 42, No. 1 Autumn 2006 Kentucky Ancestors genealogical quarterly of the “To Meet the Enemy Kate White Julia A. Carby and on Any Element”: Adams Milward’s Her Surname: The Kentucky Militia Recollections of Her A Case Study in the Early Years Battle of Lake Erie Vol. 42, No. 1 Autumn 2006 Kentucky Ancestors genealogical quarterly of the Thomas E. Stephens, Editor kentucky ancestors Dan Bundy, Graphic Design Kent Whitworth, Director Marilyn Zoidis, Assistant Director administration Betty Fugate, Membership Coordinator research and interpretation Nelson L. Dawson, Director management team Kenneth H. Williams, Publications Manager Bill Black Jr., J. McCauley Brown, Thomas Bennett Clark, Raoul Cunningham, Charles English Sr., Wendell H. Ford, Martha R. Francis, Richard Frymire, Nan executive Gorman, Ed Hamilton, Arthur L. Kelly, Ann Pennington, Richard Taylor, J. Harold Utley, Lawson Walker II, Doris committee Wilkinson Warren W. Rosenthal, John R. Hall, Henry C. T. Richmond III, Kent Whitworth, James Shepherd, Ralph G. Anderson, Walter A. Baker, Mira Ball, James E. Bassett III, Hilary J. Boone, Lucy Breathitt, Bruce Cotton, James T. Crain Jr., Clara Dupree, Thomas Dupree, Tracy Farmer, Jo M. Ferguson, Raymond R. Hornback, James C. Klotter, Crit Luallen, James H. “Mike” Molloy, Maggy Patterson, khs foundation Martin F. Schmidt, Gerald L. Smith, Charles Stewart, John P. Stewart, William Sturgill, JoEtta Y. Wickliffe, Buck board Woodford Kentucky Ancestors (ISSN-0023-0103) is published quarterly by the Kentucky Historical Society and is distributed free to Society members. Periodical postage paid at Frankfort, Kentucky, and at additional mailing offi ces. Postmaster: Send address changes to Kentucky Ancestors, Kentucky Historical Society, 100 West Broadway, Frankfort, KY 40601-1931. Please direct changes of address and other notices concerning membership or mailings to the Membership Department, Kentucky Historical Society, 100 West Broadway, Frankfort, KY 40601-1931; telephone (502) 564-1792. Submissions and correspondence should be directed to: Tom Stephens, editor, Kentucky Ancestors, Kentucky Historical Society, 100 West Broadway, Frankfort, KY 40601-1931. The Kentucky Historical Society, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, or disability, and provides, on request, reasonable accommodations, including auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in all services, programs, and activities. contents vol. 42, no. 1/autumn 2006 “To Meet the Enemy on Any Element”: The Kentucky Militia in the Battle of Lake Erie John M. Trowbridge ................................................................................................................... 2 Thataway ......................................................................................................................................... 19 Free Blacks of Henry County, 1853 Transcribed by Marguerite Miller ............................................................................................... 22 Julia A. Carby and Her Surname: A Case Study Jerry L. Clark ........................................................................................................................ 23 Abstracts from the Lexington Intelligencer, July 1842, Part Two Transcribed by Dr. Thomas H. Appleton Jr. ............................................................................. 27 Kate White Adams Milward’s Recollections of Her Early Years Edited by Burton Milward Jr. ................................................................................................ 34 Simon Adams’ Account Book, Shelby County, 1798–1802 ............................................................. 39 Kentuckians Mentioned in the Western Methodist, 1830s Jonathan Kennon Thompson Smith ...................................................................................... 45 Book Notes ...................................................................................................................................... 53 Queries............................................................................................................................................. 55 Mystery Album ................................................................................................................................ 56 on the cover: In a decisive move that led to victory in the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813, Com- modore Oliver Hazard Perry transferred his flag from the disabled brig Lawrence to the Niagara. At least 115 Kentuckians participated in the battle, which gave the United States control of the lake and secured its boundary with Canada. Both Perry County and its seat, Hazard, were named for the commodore. John Trowbridge’s article begins on page 2. Painting by William H. Powell, Naval Historical Center (KN-621) “To Meet the Enemy on Any Element”: The Kentucky Militia in the Battle of Lake Erie By John M. Trowbridge On February 8, 1813, Oliver Hazard Perry was ordered to Sacket’s Harbor, New York, for duty on Lake Erie. Once he arrived at Erie, Pennsylvania, he began setting in motion his campaign on Lake Erie. Today, few Kentuck- ians know of the role Kentucky’s militia played in Perry’s ultimate victory on September 10, 1813, at the Battle of Lake Erie. “U. S. brig Niagara, off the Western Sister, “Head of Lake Erie, September 10th, 1813. 4 P. M. “Dear General—We have met the enemy; and they are ours: two ships, two brigs, one schooner & one sloop. Yours, with great respect and esteem, “O. H. Perry.” This simple statement, immortalized in the annuals of Commedore [sic] Perry’s Fleet for a short time of United States Naval history, described to General and report to the Asst. A. Adgt. Genl. William Henry Harrison, Commodore Oliver Hazard Duncan McArthur Brigd. Genl. N. W. Army Commandant Perry’s victory against a superior British fleet on the waters of Lake Erie. This victory allowed Harrison’s force the freedom to maneuver around the lake Early histories of the Battle of Lake Erie put the without fear of attack from the British fleet, eventu- number of Kentucky militiamen volunteering to ally leading to the victory at the Battle of Thames on man the fleet at between 100 and 150.2 In his book, October 5, 1813, effectively ending the fighting in the History of the Late War in the Western Country, Robert Old Northwest Territory during the War of 1812. B. McAfee, described these “new marines” in the fol- Commodore Perry arrived off Sandusky Bay on the lowing words: 16th of August 1813, with his newly constructed fleet. Perry was in need of marines to man the fleet. He im- The Kentuckians, some of whom had probably mediately requested from General Harrison a com- never seen a ship before, relying on their skill to pany of militia to act as marines.1 A call for volunteers shoot, were thus ready to meet the enemy on any element, however novel the intended enterprise was made among the militia commands in the area. might be to them.3 Camp Meigs August 27th 1813. General Orders The following is Perry’s official report of the The Commandants of Corps will immediately battle, written in the days following the victory. select from their respective commands all sailors and Seamen who will volunteer to serve on board 2006 Kentucky Ancestors V42-1 2 The Kentucky Militia in the Battle of Lake Erie, continued ________ U. S. schooner Ariel, Put-In-Bay, 13 September ing a vain attempt to escape. 1813. Those officers and men who were immediately In my last I informed you that we had captured under my observation, evinced the greatest gal- the enemy’s fleet on this lake. I have now the hon- lantry, and I have no doubt that all others con- our to give you the most important particulars of ducted themselves as became American officers and the action. seamen. On the morning of the 10th instant, at sun-rise, Lieutenant Yarnall, first of theLawrence , al- they were discovered from Put-in-Bay, when I lay though several times wounded, refused to quit the at anchor with the squadron under my command. deck. We got under weigh, the wind light at south-west, Midshipman Forrest6 (doing duty as lieutenant) and stood for them. At 10 AM the wind hauled to and sailing master Taylor,7 were of great assistance south-east and brought us to windward; formed to me. the line and bore up. At 15 minutes before 12, the I have great pain in stating to you, the death of enemy commenced firing; at five minutes before lieutenant Brook8 of the marines, and midshipman 12, the action commenced on our part. Finding Laub,9 both of the Lawrence, and midshipman their fire very destructive owing to their long guns, John Clarke10 of the Scorpion: they were valuable and its being mostly directed at the Lawrence, I and promissing officers. made sail, and directed the other vessels to fol- Mr. Hambleton,11 purser, who volunteered his low, for the purpose of closing with the enemy. services on deck, was severely wounded late in the Every brace and bowline being soon shot away, she action. Midshipmen Claxton and Swartout,12 of became unmanageable, notwithstanding the great the Lawrence, were severely wounded. exertions of the sailing master. In this situation, she On board the Niagara, lieutenants Smith and sustained the action upwards of two hours within canister distance, until every gun was rendered useless, and the greater part of her crew either killed or wounded. Finding she could no longer annoy