Henry Family

The Henry Family of Tazewell County Massacreed
                      By Emory L. Hamilton
                                
     From the unpublished manuscript, Indian
Atrocities Along the Clinch, Powell and Holston
Rivers, pages 7-8.

     On the morning of September 8, 1774,
John Henry's family which consisted of a wife and
three children were slain by the Shawnee Indians.
     The Henry family lived in Thompson's
Valley on the south side of Rich Mountain, a short
distance east of Plum Tree Gap, where they had
settled in 1771. The details of the massacre are
best told in a letter written by Lieutenant Arthur
Campbell to Col. William Preston, dated 9
September 1774. (1)
     Sir, - Yesterday morning early, one John
Henry was dangerously wounded upon Clinch,
about four miles from Captain (Daniel) Smith's
Station, and it is supposed his wife and three
small children are taken prisoners. Henry was
standing in his door when the Indians fired at
him, his wife and children were in bed. He
immediately ran to the woods and shortly after,
accidentally met with old John Hamilton who
concealed him in a thicket until he could go and
alarm the fort and bring him assistance. Hamilton
had the courage to go by Henry's house, but saw
nothing either of the Indians, or the woman and
children.
     Afterward he took (met?) one Bradshaws
on his way, who just before he came, was alarmed
by some Indian signs in his cornfield. Bradshaws
immediately set out for the settlement through the
woods. After he came about three miles past the
place where the mischief had been done in the
morning, he came upon a place where about
twelve or fifteen Indians had breakfasted; they
leaving behind them some of their provisions.
Afterwards he followed the track a small distance
and found they escaped to steer their course
toward this river. (Holston). He then made the
best of his way toward the settlement in Rich
Valley, which he alarmed last night and this
morning, the principal part of which is just now
arrived here in a distressed situation. I have sent
out orders to this, add the two next companies on
Holston, for all the men that have arms and
ammunition to assemble tomorrow in order to
patrol a few days in the Rich Valley, and some of
the best hands (men) to go over and see what has
become of Captain Smith, as he is very weak at
his own Station, having only eight men, the last
account, notwithstanding repeated orders and
requests there has not gone out a man of Doack's
or Herbert's (2) companies to join him.
     William Doack writing from Black Lick,
on September 22, 1774, to Col. William Preston, at
Smithfield, states: (3)
     Sir, - Thursday night 8th of this ultimo
information that hostilities had been committed
that morning by some Indians on the head of
Clinch, without delay gathered 17 men and went
to the place where the damage was done. Using
our utmost endeavors to make discoveries which
way they had gone from that place, but in vain.
John Henry is dangerously wounded, his wife and
three small children captivated.
     Both William Doak and "old" John
Hamilton were mistaken in saying that the wife and
children of Henry had been captured and in some
way, overlooked them, for they had been killed,
scalped and piled up a short distance from the
house, where they were later discovered. John
Henry did not long survive his wounds.
     On the 30th of September, 1777, John
Hamilton was granted administration on Henry's
estate, with William and Rees Bowen, the latter
killed at King's Mountain, and David Ward, Rees
Bowen's son-in-law, as securities. (4)

(1) Draper Mss 3 QQ 94
(2) William Herbert, of Herbert's Ferry, Wythe
Co. who died in 1776.
(3) Draper Mss 3 QQ 101
(4) Court Order, Washington Co., VA

Contact: Rhonda Robertson at: rsr@mounet.com

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