Harman Family
Henry Harman's Fight With the Indians
By Emory L. Hamilton
From the unpublished manuscript,
Indian Atrocities Along the Clinch, Powell and
Holston Rivers, pages 164-172.
Walter Crockett, County Lieutenant of
Militia for Montgomery Co., VA, wrote to
Governor Edmund Randolph, on February 16,
1789, (1), saying:
I take this opportunity to write to you by
Captain Sayers, who is going to Richmond on
business of his own, to inform you of the state of
our frontiers in this county. There has been
several of our hunters from the frontier down the
Sandy River forty or fifty miles below the
settlement on Bluestone on the Clinch, and
discovered fresh signs of several parties of
Indians, one of the hunters is a brother (2) to
Henry Harman, that had the skirmish with them
late in the fall, (November 12, 1788) when he and
his two sons behaved like heroes, they came
immediately in, and warned the frontier
settlements, and has applied to me to send out
spys. They say that if there was four Scouts that
they could confide in, they would endeavor to
plant corn this spring, and stay the summer.
Otherwise Bluestone settlement will break up, and
of course the settlement on the head of Clinch will
not stand long. I expect as soon as the winter
breaks up, that the Indians will commit hostilities
on some part of the frontiers of this county the
ensuing spring, but God only knows the event.
Whatever orders your Excellency and shall be
punctually obeyed.
This family of Harmans were of German
origin, Adam Heinrich Hermann emigrating to
America in 1726, with a brief stop over the Isle of
Man, where Henry Harman of this sketch was
born. (3) Seven Harman brothers emigrated from
Germany together, Jacob, Valentine, Mathias,
George, Daniel, John, and Heinrich Adam. They
first stopped off in Pennsylvania, then emigrated to
the Shenandoah Valley and some on into North
Carolina. At least three of these brothers settled in
Southwest Virginia, namely, Heinrich Adam,
Valentin and Jacob. They were living in the New
River German settlement, the first settlement ever
made west of the Alleghenies on the "Western
Waters", and were living there prior to 1745. In
1749 Moravian Missionaries conducted the first
recorded religious services in Southwest Virginia in
the home of Jacob Harman, and Dr. Thomas
Walker mentions stopping at the home of Harman
on his memorable exploration trip in 1750. Of
these three brothers, Valentine and Jacob were both
killed by Indians on New River. Valentine was
killed on Sinking Creek in what is now Giles Co.,
VA. In a land suit filed in the High Court of
Chancery in Augusta Co., on the 23rd of July,
1807, Taylor vs Harman, (4) Mathias Harman,
nephew of the slain Valentine, says: Valentine was
killed by the Indians on New River and at the
same time his (Mathias') brother, Daniel Harman
and Andrew Moser were taken prisoner. Daniel
made his escape, but Andrew was held prisoner.
On the 30th of June, 1808, Daniel Harman,
deposes, in the same land suit, saying: In 1757,
Valentine was killed in my presence less than a
foot away from me, and I was taken prisoner.
Valentine Harman, who was slain left a widow
Mary Harman, but no children.
Jacob Harman lived on Neck Creek in
what is now Pulaski Co., VA, on what is known as
Spring Dale Farm. In 1757, he, his wife, and one of
his sons were murdered by the Indians.
The Harmans of this sketch are the
descendants of Heinrich Adam Hermann who
emigrated from Germany, who married Louisa
Katrina, October 8, 1723. Louisa Katrina died
March 18, 1749. The children of this marriage
were: [1] Adam Harman, the eldest, born in
Germany in 1724; [2] Henry Harman born on the
Isle of Man in 1726; [3] George Harman, 1727 -
1749; [4] Daniel Harman, born Pennsylvania,
1729; [5] Mathias Harman, born near Strausburg,
VA, in 1736; [6] Christina Harman, who married
Jeremiah Pate, and lived on Little River in
Montgomery Co., VA; [7] Catherine Harman who
married Ulrich Richards in Rowan Co., NC; [8]
Phillipina Harman, who died in 1751; [9] Valentine
Harman who settled on the upper Clinch River in
1771, and moved to Lincoln Co., KY, about 1775,
and was a member of the Henderson Legislature at
Boonesboro in May, 1775; [10] A daughter, name
unknown, married a Mr. Looney; [11] Jacob
Harman, perhaps the Jacob who settled in Tazewell
Co., VA in 1771.
The sons of old Heinrich Adam Hermann,
the German emigrant, became great hunters and
Indian fighters. While most of them were great
hunters, one in particular became one of the noted
Long Hunters. It is hard to determine just which
son this was, but evidence points to the youngest
who was Jacob.
Henry, the second son of Heinrich Adam,
owned land in North Carolina, Giles and Tazewell
counties in Virginia. Sometime in the 1750s, he
was married to Anna Wilborn of the Moravian
settlement in North Carolina, and died at his home
at "Holly Brook" on Kimberlin Creek in present
day Bland Co., VA, in 1822. In 1789, he and his
son, Mathias, founded Harman's Station in
Kentucky. There is much evidence in the records to
prove the great prowess of the Harmans as hunters
and Indian fighters. In another land suit in the High
Court of Chancery of Augusta Co., Wynn vs
Inglish heirs, (5) it is stated: that Henry Harman
was in the habit of collecting the men and fighting
the Indians. In a land dispute case filed in Augusta
(6), Samuel Walker states on May 30, 1805, that
he came to the head of Clinch in 1771 and met
Valentine Harman. In the same suit Mathias and
Daniel Harman, brothers of Henry, state that they
were on the land in dispute on a hunting trip in
1760. This statement proves that the Harmans were
familiar with the country at the head of Clinch and
Bluestone Rivers long before they made actual
settlement in the area. In the Minutes of the Court
of Montgomery County for May 26, 1790, is found
this entry: Inhabitants of Bluestone ordered to
show cause why they should not work on that part
of the road between Rocky Gap and the head of
Clinch. The following were appointed overseers of
the road, among whom was Captain Henry
Harman.
Details of the fight between Henry Harman
and the Indians are taken from Bickley's History of
Tazewell County, with the correct date added.
On the 12th of November, 1788, Henry
Harman, and his two sons, George and Mathias,
and George Draper left the settlement, to engage
in a Bear hunt on Tug River. They were provided
with pack horses, independent of those used for
riding, and on which were to be brought in the
game. The country in which their hunt was to take
place, was penetrated by the "war-path" leading
to and from the Ohio river; but as it was late in
the season they did not expect to meet with
Indians.
Arriving at the hunting grounds in the
early part of the evening, they stopped and built
their camp; a work executed generally by the old
man, who might be said to be particular in having
it constructed to his own taste. George and
Mathias loaded, and put their guns in order, and
started to the woods, to look for sign, and
perchance kill a buck for the evening repast, while
Draper busied himself in hobbling and caring for
the horses.
In a short time, George returned with the
startling intelligence of Indians! He had found a
camp but a short distance from their own, in
which partly consumed sticks were still burning.
They could not, of course, be at any considerable
distance, and might now be concealed near them,
watching their every movement. George, while at
the camp, had made a rapid search for sign, and
found a pair of leggins, which he showed the old
man. Now old Mr. Harman, was a type of
frontiersman, in some things, and particularly
that remarkable self-possession, which is so often
to be met with in new countries, where dangers
are ever in the path of the settler. So taking a seat
on the ground, he began to interrogate his son on
the dimensions, appearance, etc., of the camp.
When he had fully satisfied himself, he remarked,
that, "there must be from five to seven Indians",
and that they must pack up and hurry back to the
settlements, to prevent, if possible, the Indians
from doing mischief; and, said he, "if we fall in
with them, we must fight them."
Mathias was immediately called in, and
the horses repacked. Mr. Harman and Draper,
now began to load their guns, when the old man
observing Draper, laboring under what is known
to hunters as the "Buck Ague", being that state of
excitement, which causes excessive trembling,
remarked to him, "My son, I fear you cannot
fight."
The plan was now agreed upon, which
was, that Mr. Harman and Draper should lead the
way, the pack horses follow them, and Mathias
and George bring up the rear. After they had
started, Draper remarked to Mr. Harman that he
would go ahead, as he could see better than Mr.
Harman, and that he would keep a sharp lookout.
It is highly probable that he was cogitating a plan
of escape, as he had not gone far before he
declared he saw the Indians, which proved not to
be true. Proceeding a short distance further, he
suddenly wheeled his horse about, at the same
time crying out, "Yonder they are - behind that
log." As a liar is not to be believed when he
speaks the truth, so Mr. Draper was not believed
this time. Mr. Harman rode on, while a large dog,
he had with him, ran up to the log and reared
himself upon it, showing no sign of the presence
of Indians. At this second, a sheet of fire and
smoke from the Indians' rifles, completely
concealed the log from view, for Draper had
really spoken the truth.
Before the smoke had cleared away, Mr.
Harman and his sons were dismounted, while
Draper had fled with all the speed of a swift
horse. There were seven of the Indians, only four
of whom had guns; the rest being armed with
bows and arrows, tomahawks and scalping knives.
As soon as they fired, they rushed on Mr.
Harman, who fell back to where his two sons
stood ready to meet the Indians.
They immediately surrounded the three
white men, who had formed a triangle, each man
looking out, or, what would have been, with men
enough a hollow square. The old gentlemen bid
Mathias to reserve his fire, while himself and
George fired, wounding, as it would seem, two of
the Indians. George was a lame man, from having
had white-swelling in his childhood, and after
firing a few rounds, the Indians noticed his
limping, and one who had fired at him, rushed
upon him thinking him wounded. George saw the
fatal tomahawk raised, and drawing back his gun,
prepared to meet it. When the Indian had got
within striking distance, George let down upon his
head with the gun, which brought him to the
ground; he soon recovered, and made at him
again, half-bent and head foremost, George
sprang up and jumped across him, which brought
the Indian to his knees. Feeling for his own knife,
and not getting hold of it, he seized the Indians'
and plunged it deep into his side. Mathias struck
him on the head with a tomahawk, and finished
the work with him.
Two Indians had attacked the old man
with bows, and were maneuvering around him, to
get clear fire at his left breast. The Harmans, to a
man, wore their bullet pouches on the left side,
and with this and his arm he so completely
shielded his breast, that the Indians did not fire
till they saw the old gentleman's gun nearly
loaded again, when one fired on him, and struck
his elbow near the joint, cutting one of the
principal arteries. In a second more, the fearful
string was heard to vibrate, and an arrow entered
Mr. Harman's breast and lodged against a rib.
He had by this time loaded his gun, and was
raising it to his face to shoot one of the Indians,
when the stream of blood from the wounded artery
flew into the pan, and so soiled his gun that it was
impossible to make it fire. Raising his gun,
however, had the effect to drive back the Indians,
who retreated to where the others stood with their
guns empty.
Mathias, who had remained an almost
inactive spectator, now asked permission to fire,
which the old man granted. The Indian at whom
he fired appeared to be the chief, and was
standing under a large beech tree. At the report of
the rifle, the Indian fell, throwing his tomahawk
high among the limbs of the tree under which he
stood.
Seeing two of their number lying dead
upon the ground, and two more badly wounded,
they immediately made off; passing by Draper,
who had left his horse, and concealed himself
behind a log.
As soon as the Indians retreated, the old
man fell back on the ground exhausted and
fainting from the loss of blood. The wounded arm
being tied up and his face washed in cold water,
soon restored him. The first words he uttered
were, "We've whipped them, give me my pipe."
This was furnished him, and he took a whiff, while
the boys scalped one of the Indians.
When Draper saw the Indians pass him,
he stealthily crept from his hiding place, and
pushed on for the settlement, where he reported
the whole party murdered. The people assembled
and started soon the following morning to bury
them; but they had not gone far before they met
Mr. Harman, and his sons, in too good condition
to need burying.
Upon the tree, under which the chief was
killed, is roughly carved an Indian, a bow and a
gun, commemorative of the fight. The arrows
which were shot into Mr. Harman, are in
possession of some of his descendants.
David E. Johnston in his History of the
Middle New River Settlements, page 96, gives a
ballad which he says was composed by Captain
Henry Harman, herein inserted to show the correct
date and add interest to the details of this story
HARMAN'S BATTLE SONG
Come all ye bold heroes whose hearts flow with
courage,
With respect pay attention to a bloody fray.
Fought by Captain Harman and valiant sons,
With the murdering Shawnees they met on the way.
The battle was fought on the twelfth of November,
Seventeen hundred and eighty-eight.
Where God of his mercy stood by those brave heroes,
Or they must have yielded to a dismal fate.
Oh! Nothing would do this bold Henry Harman,
But down to the Tug River without more delay,
With valiant sons and their noble rifles,
Intending a number of bears to slay.
They camped on Tug River with pleasing
contentment,
Till the sign of blood thirsty Shawnees appears,
Then with brave resolution they quickly embark,
To cross the high mountains and warn the frontiers.
Brave Harman rode foremost with undaunted
courage,
Nor left his old trail these heathen to shun;
His firm resolution was to save Bluestone,
Though he knew by their sign they were near three
to one.
The first salutation the Shawnees did give them,
They saw the smoke rise from behind some old logs;
Brave Harman to fight them then quickly
dismounted,
Saying, "Do you lie there, you save, murdering
dogs?"
He says, "My dear sons stand by me with courage,
And like heroes fight on till you die on the ground."
Without hesitation they swiftly rushed forward,
They'd have the honor of taking their hair.
At first by the host of red skins surrounded,
His well pointed gun made them jump behind trees,
At last all slain, but two, and they wounded,
Cherokee in the shoulder, and Wolf in the knees.
Great thanks to the Almighty for the strength and
the courage,
By which the brave Harmans triumphed 'oer the foe;
Not the women and children then intended to
slaughter,
But the bloody invaders themselves are laid low.
May their generation on the frnotiers he stationed,
To confound and defeat all their murdering schemes,
And put a frustration to every invasion,
And drive the Shawnees from Montgomery's fair
streams.
(1) Calender Virginia State Papers, Vol. IV, page
564.
(2) Probably Mathias Harman, brother of Henry.
(3) Harman Genealogy by John Newton Harman
(4) Augusta Court Causes Ended, Taylor vs Harman.
(5) Augusta Court Causes Ended, Wynn vs Inglish
heirs.
(6) Ibid, Maxwell vs Pickens.
Contact: Rhonda Robertson at: rsr@mounet.com
Daniel Harman Killed
By Emory L. Hamilton
From the unpublished manuscript,
Indian Atrocities Along the Clinch, Powell and
Holston Rivers, page 210.
Daniel Conrad Harman as a son of Henry
Harman, Sr., (the same who with his sons, George
and Matthias had the fight with the Indians in
1789) and his wife Anna Wilborn. Daniel was born
on Abbott's Creek, in Rowan Co., NC, on June or
January 26th, 1760.
In a land lawsuit in the High Court of
Chancery, Augusta Co., VA, Wynn vs Inglish
heirs, (1) Henry Harman, Sr., makes a statement in
his deposition, "that one of his sons, Daniel, was
killed by the Indians." In the same lawsuit
Christopher Marrs, says: "Henry Harman, Sr., had
one of his sons killed, scalped and massacreed by
the Indians in the attempt of settling the land now
in dispute, who left a wife and 4 young children."
Pendleton in his History of Tazewell
County, page 465, states:
Daniel Harman left his house, on the head
of Clinch, on a fine morning in the fall of 1791,
for the purpose of killing a deer. Where he went
for that purpose is not known, but having done so,
he started for home with the deer fastened to the
cantle of his saddle. Harman was a great hunter,
and owned a choice rifle, and the superior
structure of its triggers which were, as usual, of
the double kind. So strong was the spring of these
that when sprung, the noise might be heard for a
considerable distance.
He was riding a large horse, fleet, and
spirited, and had gotten within a mile of home,
and was passing through a bottom, near the
present residence, and on the lands of Mr.
William O. George, when suddenly a party of
Indians sprang from behind a log, and fired on
him. He was unhurt and putting spurs to his horse
away he went through the heavy timber, forgetting
all other danger, in his precarious situation. On
he went, but his horse, too near a tree, struck the
rider's knee, breaking his leg, and
(1) Augusta Court Causes Ended, Wynn vs Inglish
heirs.
Contact: Rhonda Robertson at: rsr@mounet.com
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