Draper Manuscript
I've posted transcriptions of the portions of the Draper Manuscript that pertain to the killing of John Flinn and the capture of the Flinn
family by Indians about 1786. The manuscript consists of letters to and from Lyman Draper. Some of the correspondents provide conflicting
information and some have confused the names of the Flinn children. Keep this in mind when reading the letters and notes. I couldn't read
some words and sentences; if these are of particular interest to you, you may want to locate a copy of the microfilm or order through the
LDS. There may also be (probably are) typing mistakes as well. These are found on microfilm roll 14C in the Daniel Boone papers of the
Draper Manuscripts.
Pages 27-29 - Draper notes
Pages 30-31 - letters from Elizabeth Hain
Pages 32-33 - letter from Amos Flinn
Pages 34-35 - letters from A T Miller
Page 36 - letter from J B Miller
Page 37 - letter from John Jarrell
Pages 38-39 - letters from Kemper Jarrell
Page 40 - letter from Mary Ann Flinn
Page 41 - letter from Adam Flinn
Page 42 - letter from JF Ballard
Pages 43-45 - letter to sheriff of Logan County, newspaper clipping and response from John Peck
Page 46 - letter from Marine Ballard
Page 47 - letter to Boone and John Ballard
Page 49 - letter from Marine Ballard
Page 50-51 - letters from and to Boone Ballard
Pages 53-60 - letters to and from Andrew Kessinger
Page 61 - Draper notes
Page 62 - letter from John W Flinn
Page 64-66 - letters to and from St. Clair Ensminger
Page 70 - letter from John W Flinn
Thanks to W Darrell Miller for providing corrections.
Thanks to Pam Lasher for additions to letter 61 which I could not read.
page 27
Chloe Flinn would now seem to have been born in 1779, captured when seven (says her son J F Ballard and her grandson Eus___) hence in
1786 when an Indian war broke out; kept seven months on same authority, when would make it spring of 1787 she was brought into Boone
treaty at Limestone. Here is a complete corobaration.
page28
Died in 1863 (as her __ Boone Ballard says) and aged 84 as her son J F Ballard says - which she. be if born in 1779.
page 29
July 25. 83
Her grave stone says she died 9th Nov 1863, aged 83 per
page 30
[John Flinn Captured - 1786]
Port Jefferson, OH
May 3, 1884
I lived longer at home with my father (John Flinn) than any of my brothers and I heard him relate about his father and family.
My grandfather lived in Greenbrier Co VA - in a fort. Went out in the evening to his farm to fix his fence.
The oldest daughter Nancy had dreamed the preceeding night that red men came there, and tapped them all on the shoulder but her
father; that they tapped him on the head. The next day her dream was made manifest.
They heard a halloo - four Indians approached, Simon Girty their leader. They were ordered to march out - Mr. Flinn, this
daughter, Nancy, marched out and the others staying in the hut or cabin. The Indians shot Mr. Flinn with two bullets - Nancy
fell at the same time though not hurt. They did not scalp their victims. After plundering the house of what they wanted, they
lit it on fire, they started with their prisoners.
After they had gone some little time gone, Nancy, who had been lying beside her dead father arose and gazing in the distance of
her receding friends, her first impulse was to follow them and have their fate. But she did not, but as night approached, she
started for the fort. I had the pleasure of seeing her in after years.
Father said that he and his mother and two sisters marched 3 days, father, only 5 years old and having had his foot cut severely,
the Indians let him ride, while the others had to take it on foot - then they went another three days and came to a Shawnee village.
There they had three warriors stand guard over the prisoners. An old squaw took my father from the guard out behind a tree.
[For what?] When he learned their language, he found they were going to burn him! His mother lived about six months. So great
were her hardships, that when one day she threw down a load of wood she had been required to carry, she fell dead.
At first they gave my father a bow and arrow to learn to hunt and afterwards gave him a rifle. The Indians said, they believed
he could put a hundred bullets on top of another at a mark.
When he became a young man, he became free to do as they did.
He was 82 when he died - made his will. When a young man, he was keeping store at Fort Wayne - having been hired as an interpreter.
This was after he became grown up and free. That was all the opportunity of learning he had. He had learned figures on the scales.
When in the public store at Fort Wayne, he gave land to all his children - had 100 acres when he died and did not owe a cent -
never was known to be in a saloon - that is what I call a man among men.
Grandfather's name was John Flinn, as was my fathers. He was a smart man. His girls were [ages when taken?] Nancy, 17 - Cory
[Chloe], 15 - Lizzie, 12.
One evening before he started to go [home? to Virginia?] he built four fires - one on each side, one at the head and one at the
feet - this is the way he had to do to keep the wolves from devouring him, just before he laid down, not having eaten anything
for ten days he looked up into the tree and saw what seemed like two balls of fire - he raised his gun, took aim and fired and
down came a coon. He was so hungry he could about have devoured it raw. Now days, people think they can't eat without preserves
or jelly.
The names of my father's children are James, John, Jeremiah, Anna, George, Emilia, Lizzie, Benjamin, Adam, Peter, Dier [Jedediah?],
Isaiah, Chapman and Elijah. He was twice a prisoner - taken in 1812, before he had any children.
He was hired by John Ston, the Indian agent, to go out to Fort Wayne and see if the Indians were going to make war against the
Americans.
Simon Girty wanted the whites to hire him to be their leader on their side and they would not - so he joined the Indians and
did all the mischief he could.
Write if you wish me to tell you anything more. Could I talk to you, instead of writing, I could tell you many things.
Elizabeth Hain
page 31
Port Jefferson O
May 15, 1884
Mr. Draper, Dear Sir
Answers to your inquiries
1 - The Flinn children were all born in Greenbrier County, Virginia
2 - As to Aunt Nancy Miller, I do not know when she died.
3 - That was the Indians did when they received a prisoner - a guard was appointed to prevent intoxicated Indians from burning him.
4 - My father said it was only six months after captivity till his mother's death
5 - My father's mother's first name was Elizabeth.
6 - Yes, it was Simon Girty that led the band that killed my grandfather and captured the family.
7 - My father's first captivity was as related when he was five years old. His second captivity was after he was married - when Indian
agent Johnston was living in Pigua, Ohio, hired my father, in the war of 1812, knowing he was acquainted with the Indians, to go to
Fort Wayne to ascertain if they were going to engage in the war against the Americans. They had had a battle that day and they all knew
him and were angered because he left them - they called him a spy and took him prisoner.
8 - When the Flinn family were captured they were taken to the Shawnee village - I don't know how long they were there.
9 - He happened to look up into the tree as mentioned in my former letter and seeing the coon, shot him and had his supper.
10 - The woods were his home - wherever night overtook him, he laid down to sleep.
If you are living in Madison, I will be out there this Fall - to see my brothers - when I will tell you the rest. If nothing happens I will be there this Fall.
Elizabeth Hain
page 32/33 [letter from Amos Flinn]
Frankfurt, Kansas, May 11th 1884
Dear Sir.
In reply to your letter of March 30th '84, I had forgotten a good deal concerning the captivity of my father & family. I have been
studying on it, is the reason I have not sooner written you.
My father's family was captured in Greenbrier County Virginia & his father was gathering corn in a field. My father was five years
old when captured and was 82 when he died.
You 2d question: There were eight or ten Indians of the party - I don't know their leader's name. I think they were --- or Shawnees -
I can't tell which, nor can I tell you the names of the Indian towns to which the captives were taken, but they lived near to a fort,
the name of which I have forgotten.
Your 3d question - Father [John Flinn] lived most of the time of his captivity in Ohio and Indiana, but I do not know in what Indian
towns.
He was about twelve years old when thereabout to be burned. He was brought from the stake by an old French woman for a quart of
whiskey & taken to the woods by this old woman. This two or three days till the Indians got sober. He lived with this old French
lady, two or three years & then she sold him to the Indians - I don't know to what time. He was sold three or four times for a
quart of whiskey each time.
4th - The names of his sisters - the oldest was Polly, the other Chloe - both of whom were captured. Polly married an Indian and
had one child. Both of them were stolen from the Indians by Daniel Boone.
There was another girl that fell when her father was shot down in the cornfield, but was not hurt nor scalped. When the Indians
left with their prisoners, she went back to the fort and here we lost track of her. Her name was Nancy. Their mother was captured
at the same time. After killing old Mr. Flinn & taking Mrs. Flinn & the eldest girl, they went to the house & took little John &
Chloe, lit the house on fire & left.
They kept Mrs. Flinn to do their hard work - she fell dead picking a load of wood.
When Mr. Flinn was killed, there were three shots fired at him & they all struck him & as the girl fell at the same time, I suppose
the Indians thought she was shot also.
Father left the Indians at the age of twenty-one years. They set him free. They gave him a gun & some ammunition. He then went
to Fort Wayne, Ind. & hired to a merchant as clerk to trade with the Indians. He remained seven yrs in this employment & then
concluded he would settle down. He got married in Virginia to a girl of the name of Agnes Priest. They had two children. The
Government hired him to go out among the Indians as a spy - there he was taken prisoner again. He was gone about three months
& his family supposed he was killed. He stole away from the Indians when they were asleep.
After that he lived on his farm in Miami Co., Ohio until his death. He left a wife & 14 children - 12 boys & 2 girls, all living,
but three of the boys & a daughter-in-law.
This is all I can recollect. I would like to see your book when printed & maybe could sell some of them. I think all of the
Flinns would buy the work.
Yours truly,
Amos Flinn
page 34 [letter from A J Miller]
Bald Knob
Boone County, Wva
Sept the 2nd, '85
Mr. L D Drapery,
Dear Sir: I received your Book & letter in regard to Chloe Flinn being captured by the Indians. You are mistaken. It was my mother
Nancy Flinn & John Flinn. Nancy Flinn lived with the Indians 12 years then returned to Virginia & married a Miller; if you want all
the statements about Nancy Flinn capture, you must write to me & I will give you a full statement of her life.
John B Miller
Mr. Drapery: I could give you a full statement of Nancy Flinn if my mother was at home, but I think father can give a correct
statement, he's getting very old. You drop me a postal card and I will write it out.
Yours Truly,
A T Miller
page 35 [letter from A J Miller]
Nancy Flinn:
1 She was born in 1778 in Monroe County Virginia
2 They (her parents) were born in 1700s I suppose. They were born in Virginia I think.
3 Grandfather hadn't been in Kanawha very long - they moved from Monroe County, Virginia
4 There were about 15 or 20 Indians of the capture party.
5 I don't know who was their leader.
6 She was taken to the State of Ohio near Detroit
7 She died before the war, about 1850, she was 80 years old.
8 They were living on Cabin creek, in Kanawha Co., Wva: It was in the spring - grandfather, grandmother & mother, Chloe & John
Flinn was out fixing up a fence one morning, then they were going to the fort for shelter, while grandpa was lying up the fence
the Indians shot him dead, and when they came up, they turned him over, she (Nancy) heard the bones crush in him.
Grandmother went to see mother & mother said the Indians killed her - she was so old. Before they left, they burnt the house.
Mother was young & stayed with them till she was grown. You can't make her case as bad as it was. She was badly treated, she
had one child after she come back - the child died in1878. It was half-Indian.
The tribe took her to Detroit - you will know the tribe. I could tell you more but you know more about their customs than I
can tell you.
We Republicans want JG Blair for President in 1884.
Yours Truly,
AT Miller
[postmarked "Oceana, Wva 17 Oct 83"]
page 36 [letter from JB Miller]
Bald Knob
Boone Co Wva
April the 23d 1884
Mr. Lyman C Draper
Dear Sir
In reply to your letter I will question the old man for you again :
1st - Mother was about 8 years old when captured I guess (Nancy Flinn)
2 - John Flinn was about two years younger.
3 - I think Adam Mann raised her (Chloe Flinn) in Monroe Co., Virginia
4 - I think it was Shawnees that took her to Detroit
5 - I don't know. She died in Missouri (when she died & age?) reference: Charley Miller, Mary Miller, Adam Miller, wife,
Harrison Co. Mo. They may have a record of her death.
6th - I have no recollection of it (a narrative of her captivity - Nancy Flinn)
7th - Roda Gillespie. Polly Miller in Coffee Burey*, Harrison Co. Mo, rite to William Gillespie & he will give you the post
office of the two sisters. *Coffeyburgh, Davis Co., Mo.
Yours Truly,
JB Miller
page 37 [letter from John Jarrell]
Nancy Flinn Millers Captivity
Winefred, Wva
October 20, 1883
Mr. L.C. Draper,
Dear Sir: your letter of Aug 26 is at home. In reply I can say I do not remember hearing any correct dates or times when taken &
---. Heard it spoken of different times but never gave it any attention to remember it. I will reply you to my sister Mary
Williams, Pattonsbury, Davis Co. Mo.
Yours & c
John Jarrell
page 38 [letter from Kemper Jarrell]
Jan 22d 1884
Mr. L.C. Draper - Sir
I wish to have correspondence with you as my grandmother (Nancy Flinn) was taken by the Indians. She had a child while she
was a prisoner & this child was my mother. So I am one third Indian blood.
Lend me your Historical Society Collection & I will give you the record of my generation.
Brownstown, Kanawha Co., Wva
Kemper Jarrell
page 39 [letter from Kemper Jarrell]
Feb 10, 1884
Mr. Lyman C Draper,
Dear Sir. I was very glad to think you want information on my grandmother & her generation & I can not give you any information in
this letter. My grandmother wrote out her life in full before she died & as soon as I can get the life of her I will give you every
thing in full that you ask of me & a good many more that is composed of the Indian party. There is a good many of us composed the
part & soon as I collect everything I will give you full information.
Truly yours,
Kemper Jarrell
Of my grandmother & her writing generation you wanted the names of the grandchildren & there Post Office address & they request
me to ask if those books are free reports for our party, if they are they say that they would be very glad if you would send
them all one apiece & they will assist you information. I will give you the names of those requested me to ask you for the
collections.
I will give you names of them & Post Office address.
Brownstown, Ka Co West Va
these are their names:
Albert Jarrell
Jasper Jarrell
John Jarrell
Wilbern Jarrell
Joseph K Jarrell
There is a good in Boone Co composed of the many Indian party which I am not able to give you any information about them in
this letter but I will give you every thing you ask me the next.
page 40 [letter from Mary Ann Flinn]
John Flinn's Captivity
Shidler, Delaware Co. Mo.
Apr 15, 1884
When Father Flinn's adopted (Indian) father was killed in a skirmish, then he thought he would go back to Virginia to see
his people, but when he got there he did not like to stay with them, for he did not like their way of cooking & he did
not feel at home with them. So he told them he was going back to the Indians again. They begged & pleaded him not to go,
but they could not persuade him to stay with them any longer.
After he returned to the Indians, he discovered that he did not like them any more. They took him prisoner & some of
them declaring he was a spy, while some plead for him. They took his horses & guns from him & left him with the squaws
& the Indians went for plunder where they had a skirmish the day before. They allowed to attend to him the next day.
He suspected that they would shoot or burn him when they returned. He went & got his gun & the squaws asked him what
he was going to do. He replied that he was going home. They said he had better not go, for if the Indians should
catch him, they would kill him. He said he knew that as well as they did. He started, the Indians followed him three
or four days & once he was in a hollow log & they ran directly over it. He traveled by night, hiding by day. He swam
a large stream & at length reached the settlement again, but underwent heavy hardships in accomplishing it. He was as
much Indian as any of them & knew all their tricks very well. He could talk nine different Indian languages.
Father Flinn got married in Virginia, Greenbrier County, to Miss Agnes Priest in 1810 & raised 12 sons and two daughters,
all growing to be men & women & all were at his funeral.
My husband has been sick for some time. J.W. Flinn is here helping me take care of him. James Flinn's memory is not
very good now.
Mary Ann Flinn
James Flinn wrote a few lines saying he could add nothing to what his brother, J.W. Flinn has sent - time has blotted out
incidents form his memory.
page 41 [letter from Adam Flinn]
Oregon, Holt Co. Mo
Apr 17, 1884
Lyman C Draper - Sir,
I received your letter a few days ago. Forty years ago I could have answered your questions as I heard my father relate
the particulars of his captivity. He used frequently to talk to us upon that subject. I am sixty years old & have
forgotten some, but will do the best I can.
1st - The date of father's birth I can't give you - he was born in Greenbrier Co. Va. He was four or five years old
when captured - can't say certain. He died June 11, 1857, in his 82d year.
2nd - As to the number of Indians, their leader, to what towns taken, I cannot say. At the time when taken the people
had to stay in a fort - part of the time they would sleep out & plant little patches of corn. His folks went to the
farm to look after their corn. Some Indians came on them. My grandfather & 2 of his girls were in the field, while
grandmother & my father were at the house. The Indians fired on grandfather, he fell, having received seven shots,
one of the girls fell - the Indians supposing one shot struck and killed her. They took the other girl prisoner &
went to the house, took out what they wanted & then lit it on fire. Grandmother, my father & sister, were taken, then
they were gone, the surviving girl, who fell in the cornfield, got up & went to the fort.
3 - Before father was able to hunt & make his own living, he fared hard & went hungry many times. As soon as he could
carrying a shotgun, the Indians furnished him one & then he did better & as soon as he was aged enough to use a rifle,
they gave him one. Then, he said, he was all right.
4th - He was with seven different tribe & could talk their language. He never took any part of their fighting . He
was sent off with the squaws & young Indians to hunt for them. Can't say what towns he lived in. Don't know his age
when threatened to be burned - must have been seven or eight. A French woman bought him from the Indians for a pint
of rum.
5th - His mother lived about 3 years & fell dead as she dropped a load of wood from her shoulder. Father's sister,
Chloe, I think was her name, don't know her age - was separated from him & he never after saw her till he was rising
a sixty years of age. He then sent
one of my brothers money to pay their expenses & she came & paid him a visit - a meeting of great joy.
I couldn't think of anything else that would be of importance to you - or I would be glad to write it.
Your's respectfully,
Adam Flinn
page 42 [letter from JF Ballard]
Reeses Mills, Boone Co., Ind.
Mr. Draper, Dear Sir,
I received your letter but not in due time for I was away from home at that time you wished to know about my mother's
captivity - all I know is as my mother has told me but I will give it to you as near as I can.
1st - My mother was seven years old when captured.
2nd - The tribe was the flathead nation, the number of the company was about fifteen, but I could not say who their leader was.
3rd - She was with them about 8 months.
4th - Colonel Boone made a treaty with them & got her from them but I could not say what kind.
5 - My father I think was born in 1779 or near that time & was 84 years old when he died. And my mother as well as I can
recollect was just seven years younger than my father & she died in her 84th year. I was born in 1810, the 18 Oct, had
three brothers older than me & one sister. Three brothers & two sisters younger. My mother was sixteen, or near that,
when married. I have tried to answer your questions as near as I can. I am the only one of the children that is living
in Missouri, the rest are dead. If you should make a book, I would like to have a copy of your work.
I remain your friend.
When your first letter came, I was about 75 miles further west - had not been to Waldron for three years.
Yours,
JF Ballard
Page 44 [letter to Sheriff of Logan Co. and clipping from a newspaper]
Madison, Oct 4th, 1882
Sheriff of Logan Co., Wva
Dear Sir
I write to you for information about St. Clair Ballard who some 35 years ago represented your county in the Virginia
legislature. If he is still -----, I would like to know his address if not, of any brother or sister or children.
I wish some historical information thence
wish to learn if Mr. Ballard or any of his relatives survive to whom you can refer me. Be good enough to inform me
for which I shall feel thankful.
Very truly yours,
Lyman C Draper.
(newspaper clipping)
John Flinn, one of the pioneers of the Valley, setting on cabin creek (so named from his cabin) about 15 miles
from here. His cabin was situated between two branches of the creek which to this day are named Flinn's wet branch
and Flinn's dry branch, and are important land marks in some large surveys and long winded lawsuits.
During an Indian raid up the Valley, Flinn and his wife were killed, his cabin burned and his daughter, Chloe,
taken prisoner. Another daughter Betsey, was away from home at the time, though near enough to witness the terrible
tragedy that was being enacted. She fled to the house of Leonard Morris, nearest neighbor, two and a half miles
distant; upon reaching there she found the house deserted, the family having had warning of the coming of the Indians,
had hastily started for Donnally's Fort in Greenbrier. Miss Flinn followed and alone on foot made her way through
the woods, and reached Donnally's Fort safely. The Indians after killing Flinn and wife, started down the valley
with the captive daughter; fortunately Dan'l Boone happened to be near at hand, "the right man in the right place."
He at once organized a party of pursuit, overtook and killed the Indians and rescued the prisoner, who then being
an orphan, was brought up and educated by Boone, showing that the old hero was as tender hearted as he was brave.
At the session of the Legislature of 1846-7, Virginia formed a new county from parts of Kanawha, Cabell and Logan.
Mr. St. Clair Ballard, then a member from Logan, made a speech on the subject of a name for the new county; he
eulogized the eminent qualities and services of Dan'l Boone and related, among others, the incidenct of the
rescue of Chloe Flinn.
Stated that this daughter, Chloe, afterwards became his mother, and proposed to name the county Boone, which was done,
and the county seat was named Ballardsville. Dr. S. Patrick, still living, aged 91, was at the time a member of the
Legislature from Kanawha, and tells me he was present and heard the speech of Ballard.
In an old file of the Richmond Enquirer of March 8, 1847, in the Virginia State Library, I find the following
report of the proceedings:
"A bill establishing the county of ---- out of parts of Kanawha, Cabell and Logan was taken up on motion of Mr.
Ballard read a second time and amended on motion of Mr. Ballard.
Mr. Ballard moved to name the county Boone. He said he desired briefly to state the reasons why he proposed to
name the county Boone, after the great pioneer of the West.
One of the earliest settlers of that county, said Mr. Ballard, was my grandfather on my mother's side. In the
time of the barbarous deeds done by these Indians, they came across this family and shot the parents of my mother.
They seized my mother and fled with her into their own country. Col. Daniel Boone hearing of this pursued them
and rescued my mother from the Savage foe. He brought her back and raised and educated her. These considerations
induced him to --- the name of the county should --- and he
hoped it would be ---- of the House to call the county by that name. Motion of Mr. Ballard was --- agreed to.
Page 45 [letter from John Peck]
Whites Mills, Logan Co., Wva, 10-11-82
Dr. sir
Mr. St. Clair Ballard died some 4 or 5 years ago of gravel, rather suddenly, away from home I think he has a son
living in Boone Co. Wva name of Marine Ballard. Madison PO Boone Co. Wva. You might get information useful to
you concerning Mr. Ballard from Wm. Allen, Esq or John Powell, Esq, same address as Marine Ballard.
Yours Respectfully,
Jno. E Peck
Page 46 [Letter from Marine S Ballard]
Madison, Boone Co., Wva
Mr. Draper Sir,
I rec'd a letter from you in reflectance to the captivity of my grandmother by the Indians and her rescue by
Daniel Boone in which you referred to a newspaper account by Mr. Hale of Kanawha County, West Virginia. I saw
the same account and it is correct as I have always understood the case. My grandparents moved away from here
when I was a small boy and I have no recollection of dates. I will give the names and PO addresses of persons
that probably can give the desired information:
Boone Ballard, Bethany, Harrison Co., Missouri
John F Ballard, Waldron, Shelby Co., Indiana
St. Clair Ensminger, Shelbyville, Shelby Co., Indiana
Andrew Ensminger, Shelbyville, Shelby Co., Indiana
The Ballards named are sons of my grandmother and the others grand children. There is some old people in this
county that I think would know some of the particulars of the case. I will see them and if so, will write to you.
If you write to those mentioned tell them who gave you their address as they know me and will answer your letter
more swiftly.
My name is,
M.S. Ballard, the older son of St. C. Ballard.
Page 47 [Letter to Boone Ballard and John Ballard]
Nov 5, 1882
To: Boone Ballard, Bethany Mo and John F Ballard, Waldron, Ind.
1st: What were the names of the parents of Chloe Flinn were they both killed and were others also killed?
2nd: What were the particulars of Chloe Flinn being taken what was her age at the time?
3rd: When & where was she born?
4th: Where did her parents reside when she was captured?
5th: How many Indians composed the party, of what tribe and name of the leader?
6th: How far was Chloe Flinn taken before she was rescued, at what place was the rescue?
7th: Under what circumstances did Col. Boone hear of her captivity and how did he accomplish the rescue, and how many were with him?
8th: To whom was your mother married and when and where and at what ages did she and her husband die?
9th: How did the Indians treat her while with them and how long with them.
L.C.D.
Also sent the same in substance to St. Clair and Andrew Ensminger, grandsons of Chloe Flinn, both of Shelbyville, Ind. Nov. 5, 82
Page 49 [Letter from Marine S. Ballard]
Madison, Boone Co., Wva
Nov 19th, 1882
Mr. Draper
Sir: I have delayed answering yours of the 5th expecting to see some old people in this county that I think know
something about the capture and rescue of my grandmother, but I have not seen them, as my business keeps me close
at home. I will give their names: Andrew Kessinger and Nancy Ballard of this place. I will try to answer your
questions to the best of my recollection.
1st: I think she was captured in Kanawha county this state on the Kanawha river, 25 miles above Charleston.
2nd I don't know what age she was when captured but I think she was very young some three or four years old.
3rd: She had no brother or sister killed; one brother was captured with her and staid with the Indians till
grown and then settled some where in Ohio; his name was John Flinn. One sister hit in a sink hole in the ground
and staid till the Indians left then went to Greenbriar County this state to a fort about sixty miles and give
the news of what had happened.
4th: I know nothing about the number or the tribe of Indians.
5th: She was taken to Ohio but I don't know to what place; I don't think she was with the Indians very long.
6th: I can give no particulars of the rescue.
7th: I know nothing about how she was treated by the Indians.
8th: She was married to John Ballard; she and her husband died in Shelby County, Indiana.
9th: They moved to Indiana about 47 years back. I am fifty years old my father mother was thirty-three years
old when I was born and he was her second or third child, which would make her very old when she died, which
was during the late war.
Yours,
M.S. Ballard
Page 50 [Letter from Boone Ballard]
Bethany, Harrison Co. Mo
Dec the 6, 1882
Mr Draper, Dear Sir: after some thought on the subject, I will endeavor to give you as near a correct history of
my mothers captivity by the Indians as I can. In answer to 1st question: Chloe Flinn's parents names were John
and Elizabeth. They lived near the mouth of cabin creek of on the Kanawha river. It seems that the old lady
had a dream at night that caused uneasiness, and they all went out next morning to lay up some poles on the fence
preparatory to going to the fort that day, when a band of Indians appeared. I am not prepared to give the number
nor the name of the leader, but my understanding they were of the Cherokee tribe. They came upon them when in the
act of laying a pole on the fence shot the old man while they were all lifting at the pole; they captured the
old lady and three children. 2 girls and a baby the 4th child, which was the oldest girl of the family, ran and
fell into a sink hole and escaped. Chloe was 3 years old at the time of her capture. They kept her about one year.
She never could much talk about the treatment; they took them all from West Virginia into Ohio I think. Col.
Boone captured Chloe at or near the Siota River. I think he was pursuing in search of some other children and
came near their camp and found her with some other small children playing on the outskirts told her to jump
on his back and he would take her home and she done it. He traveled with her for some distance, came to a steep
precipice and to avoid pursuit managed to swing himself over into the water and by wading considrable escaped.
Nancy was the other captive. She was older than mother; they kept her until she was about 20 years old and
was married to a chief. She was discovered by some traders on the Ohio River somewhere near Maysville, decoyed
on their boat and captured. John was the son's name; he stayed with them until grown and then became a trader
with them followed that until he became to old, then settled on the Siota River and died there.
As regards the old lady's death there is nothing definite; they kept her with the children for some time after
they went into Ohio and there was a party went out on a hunting expedition took her with them but she never
returned; they reported that she died. The girls when recaptured were taken back to Virginia to their friends.
Nancy, the oldest, married George Miller and lived here to ripe old age and moved to Missouri and died in
Harrison county. Chloe married John Ballard, moved to Indiana in 33, lived and died there. Father died in
'62, mother '63 mother being about 75 and father 80 years of age.
Now Mr. Draper I have given you as correct a history of this narrative as my memory and health would permit
you can take and paint it over and make the best of it you can. I would just say to you that I received a very
nice little present in the way of a book and feel grateful to you for past favors but would feel moreso if when
you get your history complete you would mail me a copy.
B. Ballard
[Boone Ballard]
Page 51/52 [Letter from Draper to Boone Ballard]
Feb. 14, 1883
I am much puzzled at your mother's age when captured and when she died. The account I have conflict much with
each other.
1st. Have you any record of your mother's birth & death?
Your nephew, M.S. Ballard, says his father (your brother) St. Clair Ballard was home in 1800; that there were one
or two older children than St. Clair. Andrew Kesinger writes that Chapman Ballard was born in 1799, St. Clair in
1802, you in 1804. I suppose he sort of guesses at these dates.
But if Chapman Ballard. Your older brother, was born about 1798, St. Clair in 1800 then your father and mother
must have been married about 1797 & supposing your mother was about sixteen when married that would fix her birth
year about 1781. Mr. Kessinger says she was born in 1781 or 1782. You say she was 75 when she died in 1863
that would fix her birth year in 1788 & would make her ten years old when Chapman was born then. That could not be.
At all events, you can see that I need some more accurate data to guide me guess work in matters of history is
not safe and leads to many errors.
You can at least tell me the date of your own birth & how many brothers and sisters you had older than yourself.
Please name them in order of their birth years.
2nd. Where was your mother born?
3rd. How long was she detained in captivity?
4th. Were you named after Dan'l Boone because he rescued your mother from captivity? And was she accustomed to
speak of Boone as the person who had rescued or redeemed her?
5th. What was your mother's age when married?
6th. Are there any surviving children, your cousins, of your mother's sisters - & of your uncle John Flinn. If
so, give me there names and addresses.
7th. How far above the mouth of Cabin creek did your grandfather live, for which side of it.
Which was your nearest railroad station?
L.C.D.
8th. After your mother's return from captivity, with whom did she live & where? One account says she lived with Boone.
Page 53 {Letter from Andrew Kessinger]
Madison, Wva
Dec 29, 1882
L. C. Draper, Esq
Dear Sir,
Yours of the 14th past is at hand, below you will find information that I have in regard to this subject of
your letter. I was born on the 12 day of January 1804, in the county of Monroe Va. My father was whose name
was Matthias Kessinger was born in Monroe Va. My mother was a sister of John Ballard, who married Chloe Flinn,
my grandfather and mother came from Germany; my grandfather was named Matthias Kesinger and my
grandmothers maiden name was Juda Sipes I first knew Chloe Flinn after she had married John Ballard when a
small boy, living in Monroe County Va. John and Chloe had four male children: Chapman, St. Clair and Medley.
Chapman was born in the year 1799, St. Clair 1802, Medley 1804 and Boone Ballard, named for Daniel Boone.
Think from the best information that I have that Chloe Flinn was born about the year 1781 and was married to
John Flinn about the year 1798. Chloe's father and mother were living on Cabin Creek then Greenbrier County,
now Kanawha County, at the time of this capture and the killing of her father. Do not know the name of Chloe's
father and mother; they had four children named respectively Polly, Nancy, John and Chloe. At the time of the
capture, this father was killed was at the time engaged in putting up a pole on forks to hang clothes on after
being washed. This mother, Nancy, John and Chloe were captured. Polly secreted herself in a hollow log and
remained all night hav heard her say that during the night she imaged she heard the Indians walking about near
her concealment, but was relieved by hearing a deer jump off and whistle. The next morning she being satisfied
that the Indians were gone made her way down to Fort Donnally, about 10 miles below, about 1 or three miles
above where the City of Charleston is now situated. Polly afterwards married Adam Mann in Monroe County Va
where she lived until her death, my recollection now is that she has been dead about 30 years. Nancy Flinn
was with the Indians severeal years, likely she was 16 or 17 years when she was taken from the Indians by a
man by the name of Halstead in Ohio. He was a relation to the Flinns. At that time, she had married an Indian
and was ---- by her Indian hsuband. After her return to Monroe County the child was born, a girl, who afterwards
married Simeon Jarrell, and lived about 2 miles above this place on Little Coal River when she lived & died.
Her name was Elizabeth. Nancy after her return to Monroe Co. Va married a man by the name of George Miller and
moved to Coal River a short distance from here. About the year 1830 they moved to Jackson Co., Ohio. I went
with them to assit them in moving. Miller and his wife afterwareds moved to Missouri; they are both dead. John
Flinn remained with the Indians in Ohio until peace was made with them. He then --- there the Indians giving
him a --- tract of land. He afterwards accumulated considerable property. Chloe Flinn was married to John
Ballard in Monroe or Kanawha County and moved afterwards to Coal River near here thence to Indiana, Shelby County.
Chloe was very small when she was captured. My understanding has been that Daniel Boone exchanged a male Indian
for her in Ohio. At the time she was exchanged she was setting on a bear skin. Boone brought her back to Kanawha
and gave her to a man by the name of Slaughter, who raised her. I have visited the spot where Flinn was killed
on Cabin Creek. When I was young I have listened with great nterest to Nancy Flinn who married Geo. Miller,
relating her life among the Indians. She could make a nice mocasin, made a pair and presented to me. I think
it was the Shawnees that captured the Flinns, but I am not certain having given you a brief account of my
recollections of history of the Flinn family as I learned it many years ago.
Yours truly,
Andrew Kesinger
Page 54/55 [Letter to Andrew Kessinger]
To Andrew Kessinger Jan. 12, 1883
1st: At the time of this attack on the Flinns were there other families residing on Cabin Creek? And how far
above the mouth of the Creek on which side did the Flinns live?
2nd: Can you describe the locality where Flinn lived whether in a valley or on upland?
3rd: Can you refer me to any surviving children of Polly Flinn, afterwards Mrs. Mann; and Elizabeth (Nancy's daughter)
afterwards, Mrs. Simeon Jarrell (if I read your letter right) and of Mrs. Nancy Miller and John Flinn in Ohio?
4th: If you can recall anything further about Col. Daniel Boone's going after Chloe Flinn where he went to to
get her, and how long she was a prisoner, and how old when released, whether any one went with Boone on this trip
or anything else connected with the Boone's journey? Or was the exchange for her effected at Maysville, Ky where
Indians would sometimes bring their prisoners and where Boone lived before moving to the Kanawha country?
5th Can you refer me to any of the Slaughter family who raised Chloe or at least tell me where the lived?
L.C.D.
Page 56 [Letter from Andrew Kessinger]
Madison, Wva
April 23rd, 1883
L.C. Draper,
Dear Sir,
Yours of the 12th Jany and also of the 5 Mch have been received. I beg to say that I should have answered
your letter after 12 January past but delayed to answer expecting to get something --- in regard to the capture
of the Flinn family. In answer to your interrogation I will say:
1
st
: From the best information that I have --- -- to gather no other families on Cabin creek at the time of the
capture of the Flinn family. It was on Cabin creek a number of years ago and the spot was pointed out to me
where Mr. Flinn's Cabin stood. This was about the year 1833 when I was there a man by the name of Charlie
Spurlock was living near the spot, took me to the ground where the Cabin stood there remained the chimney was
plain there to be seen. Nothing but a pile of rock of which the chimney was built remained to mark the spot.
This was about one half miles distant from Kanawha River on the Cabin Creek. On the right side of the creek as
you asceneded the Creek, the Cabin had been built in a bottom or valley between the hill and the brook. I was
well acquainted with Polly Flinn, who married Adam Mann Chloe Flinn who married John Ballard, and Nancy Flinn
who married George Miller. Polly Flinn was not captured by the Indians. She secreted in a hollow log until the
Indians were gone. She then went to Donally's Fort. The Indians killed John Flinn, the father of the children,
and took the mother whose name I do not now recollect, and her daughters Chloe and Nancy, and her son John,
prisoners. Chloe was very young, could not have been over two or three years old. Nancy was young, but old
enough to remember I remember of her saying that her mother disappeared and she could not --- what the Indians
did with her but suppose they killed her. John Flinn, son of John Flinn, who was captured by the Indians was
taken to Ohio there he stayed with the Indians until a man. Was made I think he lived near
Chilicothe. He was out in Monroe Co. Va to see his people, my mother spoke of seeing him, said he could not speak
English well. Spoke language of Indians mostly. Nancy was stolen from the Indians by a man by the name of Halstead
and brought back to her friends. She had married an Indian and after her return she had a daughter whom she named
Elizabeh. I do not know of any children of Polly Mann living except Jo. Mann who was alive a few years ago. Do
not know where he is now. Do not know of any the children of Chloe, Nancy or John living. Think they are all gone.
I have no definite information or recollection about how Boone got the --- of Chloe, but that which I unto your
heretofore. Cannot now recollect when she was when the exchange was made. ---------- I have heard that she was
stolen by Boone and his comrades. This Slaughter family are all gone do not know of any of the family living.
I daw an article written by J.P. Hale published in the West Virginia School Journal February, 1883, gives a very
interesting account of D. Boone and the Flinn family, but I think it is some reprint incorrect, a copy of which
---- to the State Superintendent of Schoools, Wheeling Wva.
I have been trying to get information as you desired have done the best that I could accept my think for the book
should I be able to get any information, I will write it to you.
Yours Truly,
Andrew Kessinger.
Page 57 [Letter from Andrew Kessinger]
Madison, Wva
Aug 20, 1883
Lyman C Draper, Esq.
Madison, Wisconsin
Dear Sir,
Your of the 1---- has been received. Have delayed to answer trying to get all the information possible.
In reply I will give you all the information I can outside that heretofore given you. 1st from the best
information I can get Chloe Flinn was born about the 1782, was married about the year 1798. Amd doed 1863.
Chapman Ballard, the older son of Chloe Flinn, was brn in 1799.
2nd: Do not know any thing further in relation to Jo. Mann.
3rd: Names of children of Chapman Ballard: Ryland Ballard, Henley Ballard, Elizabeth Smoot, Lucy Hager, all
of whom reside near Madison, Boone County, Wva.
Chloe Henley, another child of Chapman Ballard; she lives now on Field Creek in Kanawha County, Wva.
4th: Elizabeth Jarrell has three children surviving her. Mr. Thomas Nelson, Sallie Jarrell and John Jarrell.
PO address Madison, Boone County, Wva.
5th: Don't know the given name of Slaughter, think it was Reuben.
6th: Have no traditions of Col. Boone further than heretofore given.
7th: Nancy Ballard cannot give any tradition of Boone.
8th: There is a man by the name of John B. Miller, whose PO address is Bald Knob, Boone County, West Va.
Write to him; likely he can give information on the Flinn family.
Yours Truly,
Andrew Kessinger
Page 58 [Letter to Andrew Kessinger]
Aug 26, 1883
To Andrew Kessinger
1. Did the Flinns live in Monroe Co. Va before settling on Cabin Creek?
2. Were there children, or some of them, born in Monroe County?
3. How long have they been living on Cabin creek when attacked by Indians?
4. Have you any recollection of hearing what time of the year it was when attacked? I judge it was in the Fall.
5. I infer Nancy Flinn was four and John Flinn two years older than Chloe. If you think differently, state it.
6. Did Slaughter live at Point Pleasant or Monroe County, or where?
7. About what year did Mrs. Nancy Miller die or what was her age?
I will write to Ryland Ballard as the oldest of Chapman Ballard's children and to John Jarrell urge the latter to reply.
8. Had Chloe Flinn Ballard a daughter older than Chapman Ballard.
Page 60
[Letter From Andrew Kessinger]
Madison, Wva
Spl. 14, 1884
L.C. Draper, Esq
Dear Sir,
Yours of the 31 ult. Is at hand. IN reply I will say in answer to 1st that I do not know whether Mr. Flinn
lived in Monroe Co. before living on Cabin Creek or not. I think he died and was but a short time on Cabin
Creek, And to 3rd question I have no idea from any circumstance what time in the year the attack was ade.
4th I do not know where Ruben Slaughter lived at Point Pleasant or not.
5th Cannot get at the year in which Nancy Miller died. She died in Mo. Write to Boone Ballard.
6th Do not know Kemper Jarrell. Do not know of Nancy Miller writing any account of her captivity. Adam Miller,
a son of Nancy Miller lives in the neighborhood of Boone Ballard. Write to Boone. Do not know of anything additional.
Yours Truly
Andrew Kessinger
John B Miller, a son of Nancy Miller, lives in Boone Co., Wva. Write to him at Bald Knob.
[Lyman Draper's notes]
The autumn of 1786 was the time of her capture, but her return is uncertain. L.C.D.
She was doubtless given up at the Limestone Treaty May 1787 or brought in not very long after; lived with
Col. Dl. Boone at Limestone till the Fall of 1788, when he went up to Point Pleasant with ginseng, Lee vol.
Of Boone notes, p. 333, as fixing this date.
Speaking of this trip to Point Pleasant, in the Fall of 1788, and sinking of boat and getting his ginseng wet,
Col. Nathan Boone, who was along and then in his 8th year, says: (L.C.D.)
Reaching Point Pleasant, by John Van Bibber's invitation, Co. Boone & family went and stopped a while at his
house, while Col. Boone was getting the boat and cargo in readiness to rescue his journey. Left a little girl
at Van Bibbers whom Col. Boone had brought up from Maysville, where she was delivered up from captivity by
the Indians , probably at the treaty of 1787, and had since lived in his family. Her name was Chloe Flinn,
some ten years old, who had been taken prisoner from Greenbrier, when she was subsequently sent to her friends.
Boone Notes, 1851
P.S. since noting the above I am confirmed in 1786 as the time when Chloe Flinn was captured and in the
Fall of that year, by a letter received from her son J.H. Ballard, who says she was seven months with with
Indians & given at a treaty with Col. Boone who was in May, 1787. St. Clair Esminger, her grandson, also says
she was seven months a prisoner. Thence captured in October in the cornfield, doubtless gathering corn.
Page 62
John Flinn, or Ques-tas-ke, the "Man that Limps" or "The Lame Man," many years my Pottawattemice interpreter,
was taken prisoner, when a youth, from Greenbrier, Virignia. His father and some of the children were killed
while at work in the cornfield. The Indians then went to the house, took the mother and three children
prisoners, --- and burned the premises and made their escape. The mother and John fell to the lot of the same
family and were not separated afterwards.
The two sisters were allotted to others, none did he ever see then until he met them when they were married
and settled in Virginia, having been surrendered and delivered up by the Indians under the provisions of
the treaty of peace made with Gen. Wayne in 1795.
John was not surrendered, preferring to remain with the Indians. His mother died five years after their
captivity. She preserved in his mind a remembrance of the English language, which he would otherwise have
forgotten. Her practice was, when they were alone, to talk much with him, at which times she would give
vent to her sorrow in a profesion of tears. Being advanced in years, she was of little use to her unfeeling
captors, denied a sufficiency of food and clothing; death terminated her suffering.
On the contrary, John received from the Indians the kindest treatment, which he ever afterwards returned
by a devotion and attachment to them which suffered no abatement. He was strictly honest, and for many
years he served in my department; I never knew him to utter a falsehood. He used neither tobacco nor
whisky. I took good
care of his money, and at a proper time, purchased in fee from the United States for him, 330 acres of prime
land in Miami County, Ohio, and on which he has resided many years. He married and raised a large family.
Apparently living when this was written near the close of 1847.
From History of Miami County, Ohio, 1880 Elizabeth Township, p. 563
Benjamin Flinn, deceased, born in Miami County, April 2, 1822, was a son of John and Agnes Priest Flinn,
he being born in Virginia and she in Kentucky. The father, John, and his mother were captured and kept
in captivity for fourteen years, during which Mrs. Flinn died. John gaining the confidence of the Indians,
was granted privleges to go and come as he pleased, and finally was permitted to visit his friends in Virginia,
which he did, and then returned to the Indians. Becoming dissatisfied with them, he went back to Virginia,
and soon after came west, and became interpreter for Col. John Johnston, the Indian Agent, during the War
of 1812. It is supposed he became a settler of Miami County prior to 1807, which would make him one of the
earliest pioneers. Here he married Agnes Priest, by whom he had a large family of children, of whom Benjamin
was the seventh child. He lived with his father, mostly, until he marriage, which occurred Nov. 20th 1845,
with Catherine, daughter of John & Rebecca Smith, he born in Maryland, and she in Virginia. By this union,
they had six children, of whom five are living, viz: Agnes, Rebecca Jane, Charlotte, Franklin and Mary.
After their marriage they located upon the farm, where his widow Mrs. Flinn, now resides. He died March 13,
1879. Since his death, his son Franklin, and son-in-law Mr. Paul are taking charge of the house farm, consisting
of 158 acres of fine land, with good buildings and improvements and also another farm of 89 acres. Mr. Flinn
was an industrious enterprising man.
My father's name was John Flinn. His father and mother with their three children, one son and two daughters,
emigrated from the old country, perhaps Ireland, and settled in Greenbrier, Va, about the year 1772, and build
a little cabin and cleared off and fenced with poles and planted in corn perhaps an acrew of ground. And when
the corn got up perhaps to roasting ears, the wild animals, especially the bears, became very troublesome in
throwing down the fence and destroying the corn. So they left my father, who was then a cripple from a severe
cut in his foot, which rendered him a cripple during life, with his little sister, he being , he thought, only
five years old, and his sister perhaps seven, in the cabin, while Mr. Flinn and wife, and oldest daughter went
to the corn patch, some distance from the house, to repair the fence. They had been there but a short time,
when from the woods two guns fired grandfather and the girl fell at the report of the two guns, seemingly
both at the same time. The girl fell on her face, seeming to be dead, but the two balls had entered the breast
of her father and the Indians not knowing how each had fired, supposed that they had killed each of their
prostrate victims and not stopping to examine, took the mother and hurried to the house. When the Indians were
out of sight, the girl who was not hurt, got up, and escaped first to the woods, and then to a settlement.
The Indians took my grandmother, and my father, this sister, ransacked the hosue of such as they wanted, bed
clothing and the scanty supply of provisions, packed all on their ponies, with the five year old cripple boy,
then set fire to the house and made for the woods, driving grandmother and the little girl before them on foot.
My recollection now is that they stopped where Upper Sandusky now is where they remained for some time how
long I do not remember. But during their stay there
there was a skirmish, hostilities, between the whites and the Indians along the frontier somewhere, by which
the whites took some Indian prisoners, and according to their ---, they always , so far --- --- they had
prisoners and exchanged them. This little girl was lucy she being exchanged and they got back among her friends.
The took father and his mother and went West to the Wabash river, near where Huntington is now; and he being small,
and seeing his mother fretting when she could without being detected, carried him to fret and cry which made
the Indians displeased, and so they separated them, taking her down the Wabash to where Logansport now,
where was an Indian village called Old Town.
The trouble and grief with the hardships she endured, having to cut and carry wood, and do all kinds of hard work,
soon put an end to grandmother's existence, as she only lived with the Indians about three years. Her body was
buried after the Indian fashion. Old Town, Logansport. My father was left fatherless and motherless, with the
wild woods for his home and the Indians for his protectors. As he grew up, he had all the western country from
the head of the Wabash river to the --- river. The Indians sold and traded him from one tribe to another, as we
would a horse.
My recollecton is, that grandmother and father were first taken by the Missouri, but father was --- successively
by five or six different tribes. I do not remember the names of the chiefs or heads of those tribes. There were
Missouris, Shawnees, Chippeways and Rollawattames; and others I do not remember. Father used to talk five different
Indian languages, also French. His stay with them was about sixteen years, and of course, could talk but little
English. He idd not see bread for seven years, living entirely on wild game.
As soon as he was big enough, they provided him with a light gun and learned him to hunt and hill small game and
when he aged he got a heavier rifle, and soon became a successful hunter his equal as a hunter was not to be
found among the Indians. Hence he was readily traded among the different Indian tribes.
He made several narrow escapes of his life. At one time as the whites had been more successful then the Indians
in some fight they had the latter determined to kill him. They held a council as to the manner of execusion,
and decided to burn him alive. So they directed him to gather dry fueld and build a fire. Pretty soon, however,
he began to interpret it was for his own execution, and while he was out for the last armful of sticks, the old
Indian that then owned him and thought a great deal of him, plead hard for his life and father, only a boy, was
a little slow coming in with the last armful of wood, and watching the motions of the Indians, when his old
master motioned to him to go away into the woods, which he obeyed, and thus escaped a fiery death.
But, exposure, hardhsips and privations, and starvation, seemed to be always in sight. But his privileges
increased as he approached manhood, and was soon permitted to do for himself. Their trade consisted entirely
in peltry, skins and furs, and as he was a superior hunter, he always had considerable to trade. Vincennes was
their trading post. The Indians would pack their skins and furs on ponies, and go down there twice a year to
trade.
The whites from Virginia and East came with flat boat loads of fruit, flour, bacon, powder, lead and of course,
whiskey, row their boats down the Ohio river, and there is where the commencement of a separation between them
and the Indians began. These traders noticing that he was white, began through the interpreter making inguiriers,
who he was, and where from, and the Virginia traderes remembering to have heard of the circumstances of the captivity,
and from the region near which he was taken knew his folks, the sisters then being married, and he almost forgotten.
They prevailed on him to pay his folks a visit, but he did not at that time. As from time to time he would go down to
Vincennes trading, he became more and more anxious to hear from his folks in Virginia.
About this time, Government started a store at where Fort Wayne now is under the management of one Mr. John Johnston,
who as then Indian Agent, and as the conversation often came up between the Indians and father about his folks in
Virignia and the Indians themselves after the visit to Virginia was agitated, kept a kind of record of his activity,
and as they are great for visiting each other, they persuaded him to go. But as he could not speak nor understand
English,, he did not know how to proceed. As he had become some acquainted with Mr. Johnston at Fort Wayne, and
learning father's desire, proposed to help him effect his purpose.
So when father got ready to start, Johnston gave him an instrument of writing to take to the Governor of Kentucky,
which he presented, and the Governor receiving it gave him a paper to show to the people on his way, which requested
that they should direct the bearer to a certain place in Virginia, naming is and supplying him with food and let his
pass on, and signed his name to it as Governor of Kentucky. So be prosecuted his journey, and at length reached his
friends in Virginia, who received him very kindly his sisters recognizing him more readily from his being a cripple.
They then provided him with clothing after the custom of the whites as he went to them in his Indian garb, gun and
tomahawk. They tried to make it as pleasant for him as possible, in hopes of weaning him from a heathen life, so
they took him around in society to parties and places of amusement, which seemed to do well for a while,, until his
company commenced breaking off, some to plowing, some to one thing and some to another. Then he became lonesome,
and thinking of his home in the woods. So between sundown and morning he gathered his outfit for the woods and
started for his Wabash home, which received to him as almost the place of his nativity, and in a short time, he
found himself among the camps of the Indians. He did not seem to be satisfied with his old Indian mode of life,
after having been with the whites, three of four months. The Indian huts he now found were dirty, as he was not
satisfied as he formerly was. So he went up to Fort Wayne, and hired to Mr. Jonston in the public store as interpreter,
as he then could talk some English getting seven hundred dollars a year, with the privelege of hunting mornings
and evenings, and then made money selling game to the people of the garrison that were stationed there at that time
by the Government.
After remaining there seven years, he left the store, and went to Miami County, Ohio, six miles east of where Troy
now stands, and entered three hundred and twenty acres of land about the year 1810, commenced a little improvement,
built a log cabin and then married a Miss Agnes Priest and then with a view of making a living at farming, went as
to clearing and improving his land, which was very heavily timbered, and seemed to find plenty to occupy his time,
until the Indian War of 1812 broke out, when he was employed by the Government as a spy and again visited the
wilderness country up and down the Wabash River, ascertaining the numbers of Indians, their localities, and plans
and so reporting to headquarters of our army.
At one time, the Indians seemed to mistreat him. The next day, after a battle, it might have been at Fort Meigs,
they detained him, leaving him in the hands of the squaws until the warning would go tout to visit the battlefield,
and if there were more Indians killed then whites, they would kill him. So after the Indians had started, he
unconcernedly took his game as he went in the Indian garb, telling the squas that he would take a little hunt around,
and would return soon. He started for the woods, rather leisurely, but as soon as he got out of sight, he made for
the settlement. After finding a good living place, he laid by in the daytime and traveled night keeping entirely
through the woods. IN crossing trails or fording streams, he could see the Indians were after him by the sign of
their tracks in the damp ground, but being as well up to Indian cunning and woodcraft as the Indians themselves he
made good his escape.
But he was very venturesome, and had many narrow risks during the War of 1812. But after peace was made, he settled
down to a farm life and having some money, he hired clearing done and rails made, as he did not understand the
business of farm improvement much himself. But he succeeded n offering quite a farm, on which he raised quite
a large family, fourteen children, twelve boys and two girls. He continued on the same farm till his death, which
occurred June 9th, 1857, in his eighty-fifth year. His companion, my mother, lived till february 1866, when he died
in her seventy-eighth year. Eleven of the children are living, three having passed away. The oldest is then
seventy-two years, and the youngest over fifty.
This ends the career of my pioneer parents, and --- will soon be told of the entire family. So I will close this
imperfect narrative by subscribing myself.
Yours Truly,
J.W. Flinn
P.S. If there is any thing omitted that I can do, inform me. I should like the history you speak of, and will thank
you for it. I should like one containing the narrative for each child of his noted family. When you receive this,
let me hear from you and your opinion in reference to it and oblige me.
Couldn't I sell books on commission 3 or 4 different kinds, as I am not doing much. If anything is lacking in this
narrative write.
John W Flinn
Marion, Grant Co., Ind.
March 13, 1884.
Page 64 [Letter to St. Clair Ensminger]
Madison, Jan. 15th, 1883
St. Clair Ensminger, Esq.
My Dear Sir,
Sometime ago I wrote you about your grandmother Ballard. Receiving no reply and anxious to get at the facts about
her captivity, age and I venture to trouble you again.
1st: Have you any record of her birth & death dates and is there a family record or tombstone that shows them?
I wish a careful copy.
2nd: How old was she when taken by the Indians.
3rd: How long was she kept in captivity, where taken to?
4th: How, when and under what circumstances was she rescued, redeemed or exchanged?
5th: Had Col. Daniel Boone anything to do and what in effecting her restoration?
6th: After her return where did she make her home till she married?
7th: When was she married?
8th: How old was she at the time of her death?
Pray write me as well as you can reply to these inquiries, giving me and your brother's understanding of these
matters as you derived them from your grandmother or mother. I hope and entreat that you will not dissapoint me.
Very Truly Yours,
Lyman C. Draper
Page 66 [Letter from St. Clair Ensminger]
Shelbyville, Ind.
January 30, 83
Mr. Draper
Sir,
In request to a note received from you not long ago concerning my grandmother now will give what little
information I know about her capture and captivity, answering accordingly to your note dated Jan 15th 1883.
1st: I have not record of her birth or when taken.
2nd: She was seven years old. I don't know what tribe captured her.
3rd: Seven months in captivity. I don't know where she was taken to.
4th: She was rescued by Daniel Boone. I am not certain but I think by a treaty or by a trade Boone made with the Indians.
6th: Near Point Pleasant Wva.
7th: Don't know what year.
8th: Age seventy-three [eighty-three, L.C.D.]
She was captured at Point Pleasant near the mouth of the Kanawha River. Her father was shot down in the yard.
After they had killed the old man, took her mother and three children and started with them the old lady not
being in condition to travel after a short distance, tomahawked her and left her. After Chloe came back she
lived near the place she was captured till she was about sixteen years old when she was married to John Ballard.
Yours Truly,
St. Clair Ensminger
Page 69 [Letter from John W Flinn]
Thanks to Pam Lasher for transcribing this letter.
My fathers name was John Flinn. His father, mother with their three children--one son & two daughters, emigrated
from the old country, perhaps Ireland, & settled in Greenbrier
Co., Va, about the year 1772, & built a little cabin & cleared off & fenced with poles, & planted in corn, & ___,
perhaps an acre of ground. And when the corn got up perhaps to roasting ears, the wild animals, especially the
bears, became very troublesome in throwing down the fence & destroying the crop. So they left my father, who
was then a cripple from a severe cut in his foot which rendered him a cripple during his life, with his little
sister--he being, he thought, only five years old, & his sister perhaps seven--in the cabin; while Mr. Flinn &
wife and oldest daughter went to the corn patch, some distance from the house, to repair the fence. They had
been there but a short time, when from the woods two guns fired--grandfather & the girl fell at the _____ of
the two guns, seemingly both at the same time. The girl fell on her face, seeming to be dead; but the two
balls had entered the breast of her father; & the Indians not knowing how each had fired, supposed that they
had killed each one of their prostate victims; & not stopping to examine, took the mother, & hurried to the house.
When the Indians were out of sight, the girl (who was not hurt) got up, and escaped first to the woods, & then
to a settlement. The Indians took my grandmother, & my father & his sister--ransacked the house of such as
they wanted, bedclothes, and the scanty supply of provisions--packed all on their ponies, with the five year old
cripple boy--there set fire to the house, & made for the woods, driving grandmother & her little girl before
them on foot. My recollection now is, that they stopped where Upper Sandusky now is, where they remained for some
time--how long I do not remember. But during their stay there, there was a skirmish (hostilities) between the
whites the Indians along the frontier somewhere, by which the whites took some Indian prisoners; & according to
their custom, they always, so far as they had prisoners, mutually exchanged them. Thus the little girl was lucky--
she being exchanged, & thus got back among her friends. Then they took father & his mother and came West to the
Wabash river, near where Huntington is now; & he being small, seeing his mother fretting when she could without
being detected, caused him to fret and cry--which made the Indians displeased; so they separated them, taking
her down the Wabash to where Logansport now is, where was an Indian village called Old Town. The trouble and
grief with the hardships she endured, having to cut and carry wood, and do all kinds of hard work, soon put an
end to grandmothers existence, as she only lived with the Indians about three years. Her body was buried,
after the Indian fashion, at Old Town--Logansport. My father was left fatherless & motherless, with the wild woods
for his home, & the Indians for his protectors. As he grew up, he had all the western country from the head of the
Wabash river to roam over. The Indians sold and traded him from one tribe to another, as we would a horse. My
recollection is, that grandmother & father were first taken by the Miamies; but father was owned successively by
five or six different tribes. I do not remember the names of the chiefs or heads of those tribes. There were
Miamies, Shawnees, Chippewas, & Pottawattamies, with others I do not remember. Father used to talk five different
Indian tongues, also French. His stay with them was about sixteen years--& of course, could talk but little English!
He did not see bread for seven years, living entirely on wild game. As
soon as he was big enough, they provided him with a light gun, & learned him to hunt & kill small game; & when
larger he got a heavier rifle, and soon became a successful hunter--his equal as a hunter was not to be found
among the Indians. Hence he was readily traded among the different Indian tribes. He made several narrow
escapes of his life. At one time, as the whites had been more successful than the Indians in some fight they had,
the latter determined to kill him. They held a council as to the manner of execution, and decided to burn him alive.
So they directed him to gather dry fuel and build a fire. Pretty soon, however, he began to mistrust it was for
his own execution; and while he was out for the last armful of sticks, the old Indian that then owned him, &
thought a great deal of him, plead hard for his life; & father only a boy, was a little slow coming in with
the last armful of wood, and watching the motions of the Indians--when his old master motioned to him to go
away into the woods, which he obeyed, and thus escaped a firy death. But exposure, hardships & privations and
starvation, seemed to be always in sight. But his privileges increased as he approximated manhood; and was soon
permitted to do for himself. Their trade consisted entirely in peltry--skins & furs; and as he was a superior
hunter, he always had considerable to trade. Vincennes was their trading point. The Indians would pack their
skins and furs on ponies, and go down there twice a year to trade. The whites from Virginia & the East came
with flat-boat loads of fruit, flour, bacon, powder, lead; & of course, whisky--run their boats down the Ohio
river; & there is where the commencement of a separation between him & the Indians began. These traders
noticing that he was white, began through the interpreters making inquiries, who he was, and where from; &
some of the Virginia traders remembering to have heard of the circumstance of the captivity; and from the
region near which he was taken--knew his folks, the sisters then being married, and he almost forgotten.
They prevailed on him to pay his folks a visit; but he did not at that time. As from time to time he would go
down to Vincennes trading, he became more and more anxious to hear from his folks in Virginia. About this time,
Government started a store at where Fort Wayne now is, under the management of one Mr. John Johnston, who was
their Indian Agent, & as the conversation often came up between the Indians & father about his folks in
Virginia--& the Indians themselves after the visit (to Virginia) was agitated, kept a kind of record of
his nativity, & as they are great for visiting each other, they persuaded him to go. But as he could not
speak nor understand English, he did not know how to proceed. As he had become some acquainted with Mr.
Johnston at Fort Wayne, & he learning fathers desire, proposed to help him effect his purpose. So when
Father got ready to start, Johnston gave him an instrument of writing to take to the Governor or Kentucky,
which he presented; & the Governor when receiving it gave him a paper to show to the people on his way--
which requested that they should direct the bearer to a certain place in Virginia, naming it, & supply
him with food, & let him pass on, & signed his name to it __ Governor of Kentucky. So he prosecuted
his journey, & at length reached his friends in Virginia, who received him very kindly--his sisters
recognizing him more readily from his being a cripple. They then provided him with clothing after
the custom of the whites--as he went to them in his Indian garb, gun & tomahawk. They aimed to make
it as pleasant for him as possible, in hopes of weaning him from a heathen life; so they took him around in
society to parties and places of amusement, which seemed to do well for awhile, until his company
commenced breaking off--some to plowing, some to one thing, & some to another. Then he became lonesome,
& thinking of his home in the woods. So between sundown & morning he gathered his outfit for the woods,
and started for his Wabash home--which seemed to him as almost the place of his nativity; & in a short
time, he found himself among the camps of the Indians. He did not seem to be satisfied with his old
Indian mode of life, after having been with the whites three or four months. The Indian huts he now
found were dirty, as he was not satisfied as he formerly was. So he went up to Fort Wayne, & hired to
Mr. Johnston in a public store as interpreter, as he then could talk some English--getting seven
hundred dollars a year, with the privilege of hunting mornings & evenings, & thus made money selling
game to the people of the garrison that were stationed there at that time by the Government. After
remaining there seven years, he left the store, and went to Miami County, Ohio, six miles East of
where Troy now stands, & entered three hundred & twenty acres of land about the year 1810, commenced
a little improvement, built a log cabin, and then married a Miss Agnes Priest; and then with a
view of making a living at farming, went on to clearing and improving his land, which was very heavily
timbered, and seemed to find plenty to occupy his time, until the Indian War of 1812 broke out,
when he was employed by Government as a spy, & again visited the wilderness country up and down the
Wabash River, ascertaining the numbers of Indians, their localities, & flaws--& so reporting to
headquarters of our army. At one time, the Indians seemed to mistrust him. The next day after a battle--
it might have been at Fort Meigs, they detained him, leaving him in the hands of the squaws until
the warriors would go out to visit the battlefield; & if there were more Indians killed than whites,
they would kill him. So after the Indians had started, he unconcernedly took his gun, as he went in
Indian garb, telling the squaws that he would take a little hunt around, and would return soon. He
started for the woods, rather leisurely; but as soon as he got out of sight, he made for the settlement.
After finding a good hiding place, he laid by in daytime, & traveled after night--keeping entirely
through the woods. In crossing trails or fording streams, he could see the Indians were after him by the
sign of their tracks in the damp ground; but being as well up to Indian cunning & woodcraft as the
Indians themselves he made good his escape. But he was very venturesome, & ran many narrows risks during
the War of 1812. But after peace was made, he settled down to a farm life; & having some money, he
hired clearing down & rails made, as he did not understand the business of farm improvement much himself.
But he succeeded in opening quite a farm, on which he raised quite a large family--fourteen children,
twelve boys and two girls. He continued on the same farm till his death, which occurred June 9th, 1857,
in his eighty-fifth year. His companion, my mother, lived till February, 1866, when she died in
seventy-fifth year. Eleven of the children are living, three having passed away. The eldest is less
than seventy-two years, and the youngest over fifty. Thus ends the career of my pioneer parents--&
the same will soon be told of the entire family. So I will close this imperfect narrative by subscribing
myself Yours truly, (signed) J. W. Flinn
P.S.--If there is any thing written that I can do, inform me. I should like the history you speak of, &
will thank you for it. I should like one containing this narrative for each child of this noted family.
When you receive this, let me hear from you, & your opinion in reference to it--& oblige me. Couldnt I
sell books on commission, 3 or 4 different kinds, as I am not doing much. If anything is lacking in this
narrative, write. John W. Flinn, Marion, Grant Co., Indiana March 13, 1884.
Page 70 [Letter from John W Flinn]
Marion, March 27, 1884
Mr. L.C. Draper
Dear Sir,
In conversing with one of my brothers we conclude the capture of our father must have been in 1777 he
then five years old; this stay with the Indians was 18 years and with Mr. Johnston at Fort Wayne 7 years
and after he left there he bought land four miles east of Piqua and improved it some, then sold it and
bought east of Troy, which we think required 8 years which brings us to 1810. At this time he married,
lived 47 years and died.
Your second paragraph I do not mean invasion by the white I mean that there was fighting along the frontiers
and prisoners taken on both sides, and exchanges made.
Father's age at the time of his threatened burning I do not know. I only remember one sister being taken prisoner
with father and their mother her name was Polly. Chloe fell at the report of guns and after the Indians passed
to the house, she got up and left [these names sh'd be reversed L.C.D]
I learn there was another girl whose name was Nancy. I never heard of her having been captured.
There were a number of Indians with their ponies at the time of capture. I do not know how many, but only two
shots were fired. I often heard father speak of Tecumseh, but I don't know of what tribe.
Polly married a Mr. Adam Mann & Chloe a Mr. James Ballard. I think I remember the name of Nancy, but never
heard of her being captured. I think she married a man by the name of Miller. I know nothing of her posterity.
If I learn more I will write again. Let me hear from you.
1772 Father born in 1772
1777 When captured, five years old
18 years with the Indians
----
1795
7 years with Col. Johnston
----
1802
8 years speculating
----
1810
47 years after that
----
1857 when he died, aged 85 years
As I told you in my last, my parents raised a family of 14 children 12 boys and 2 girls as follows
1. James Flinn, born June 11, 1811 Shidler, Delaware Co., Ind.
2. John W Aug 1, 1813 Marion, Ind.
3. Amos May 27, 1816 Frankport, Marshall Co., Kansas
4. Amelia Dec. 28, 1818 Muncietown, Delaware Co., Ind.
5. Elizabeth July 24, 1820 Port Jefferson, Shelby Co., O.
6. Adam Oct. 17, 1823 Oregon, Holt Co., Mo.
7. Peter G July 5, 1825 Marion, Ind.
8. Obadiah Jan 19, 1827 do.
9. Isaac Dec 19,.1828 Albany, Delaware Co., Ind.
10. Chapman Aug 15, 1830 Marion, Ind.
11. Elijah Oct 8, 1832 South Bend, Ind.
Deceased
12. George born, July 17, 1817 died, Mch 20, 1874
13. Jeremiah Jan 10, 1815 Jan 1882
14. Benjamin Ap. 2, 1822 Feb 1880
Enclosed find a picture of the once little boy, who after being shot down by the Indians, with his mother and
sister was compelled to submit to the fate of a prisoner and marched to the woods not ever permitted to give
vent to their sad stricken hearts, as they left in the distance that sacred spot of their dead husband and
father and the flames bursting from their little cabin their once happy home only to be forced farther and
farther into the wilds of a dense forest and father to drag out 18 years of hard, lonesome, and miserable life,
incidental to Indian usage. This picture is a facsimile of our father the prisoner boy. I would like an agency
to sell the volume containing this narrative.
Yours &C
John W Flinn
Copyright 1998-2007 Rebecca Falin
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