Betty Zane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Betty Zane
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A 19th-century depiction of Elizabeth Zane's legendary feat of retrieving powder during the 1782 siege of Fort Henry
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| Born | July 19, 1765 |
| Died | August 23, 1823 (aged 58) St. Clairsville, Ohio, U.S.
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| Spouse(s) | Ephraim McLaughlin Jacob Clark |
| Children | Minerva Catherine Zane with Van Swearingen Mary Ann "Polly", Sarah Nancy, Rebecca McLaughlin and Hannah McLaughlin with Ephraim McLaughlin Ebenezer Clark and Catherine Clark with Jacob Clark |
| Parent(s) | William Andrew Zane Nancy Ann Zane |
| Relatives | Ebenezer Zane, brother Silas Zane, brother Jonathan Zane, brother |
Elizabeth Zane McLaughlin Clark (born July 19, 1765 – died August 23, 1823) was a brave woman during the American Revolutionary War. She is known as a heroine from the American frontier. Elizabeth was the daughter of William Andrew Zane and Nancy Ann Zane. She also had several brothers, including Ebenezer, Silas, Jonathan, Isaac, and Andrew Zane.
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Who Was Betty Zane?
Elizabeth Zane, often called Betty, was born on July 19, 1765. She grew up in a time when America was fighting for its freedom from Great Britain. This period is known as the American Revolutionary War. Betty Zane became famous for her bravery during a dangerous attack on a fort.
The Zane Family Moves West
In 1769, three of Betty's brothers, Ebenezer, Silas, and Jonathan Zane, moved to what is now West Virginia. They started the first settlement in a place called Wheeling. Later, the rest of the Zane family, including Betty, joined them in this new settlement.
Betty Zane's Act of Courage
On September 11, 1782, the Zane family and others were inside Fort Henry in Wheeling. The fort was under attack by Native American allies of the British. During the fight, Betty's father was hurt. The fort's captain realized they were running out of gunpowder.
The gunpowder was stored in Betty's family home, which was outside the fort walls. Betty bravely volunteered to get it. She ran about 40 to 50 yards (about half a football field) to her home, grabbed the gunpowder, and ran back safely to the fort. Her quick thinking and courage helped the defenders keep fighting. Thanks to her, they held off the attackers and survived.
After this event, the Zane family moved to what is now Martins Ferry, Ohio. This town is across the Ohio River from Wheeling. The family played an important part in the early history of Ohio.
The Siege of Fort Henry
The attack on Fort Henry in 1782 was a major event. About 42 men, led by Colonel David Shepherd, were defending the fort. When they started to run low on ammunition, Betty Zane stepped up. She volunteered to leave the safety of the fort to get more gunpowder from her brother's nearby house. Her brave actions allowed the defenders to keep fighting and hold onto the fort.
Betty Zane's Family Life
Elizabeth "Betty" Zane was married twice and had nine children.
Before her first marriage, she had a daughter named Minerva Catherine Zane. Betty later married Ephraim McLaughlin. With him, she had four daughters: Mary Ann "Polly", Sarah Nancy, Rebecca, and Hannah. After Ephraim passed away, Betty married Jacob Clark. They had a son, Ebenezer Clark, and a daughter, Catherine Clark.
Betty Zane passed away on August 23, 1823. She was buried in the Walnut Grove Pioneer Cemetery in Martins Ferry, Ohio. Every year, her bravery is remembered during an event called Betty Zane Pioneer Days.
Betty Zane's Lasting Impact
Betty Zane's story of courage has been remembered for generations.
Places Named After Her
A community near Wheeling, West Virginia, was named Betty Zane in her honor.
Poems and Books
More than a hundred years after her death, a poem called "Elizabeth Zane" was written by John S. Adams. It became quite popular.
Betty Zane's great-grandnephew, a famous author named Zane Grey, wrote a historical novel about her. The book was titled Betty Zane and was also known as The Last Ranger. A big part of the story tells about Betty fetching supplies from the family cabin during the siege. When Zane Grey couldn't find a publisher for his book, he used his wife's money to publish it himself in 1903. He even named his own daughter Betty Zane after his brave great-aunt.
