Edward Worthington facts for kids

Edward Worthington (born between 1750 and 1754, died 1804) was an American frontiersman, soldier, and explorer. He helped settle the wild lands of Kentucky. Worthington fought in the American Revolution and the American Indian Wars. He also worked as a paymaster for George Rogers Clark during the Illinois campaign. His grandson, William H. Worthington, was a soldier in the American Civil War.

Early Life and Family

Edward Worthington was born in Macroom, County Cork, in the Kingdom of Ireland. He was born sometime between 1750 and 1754. Edward had four brothers and five sisters.

In 1768, Edward and his family moved from Ireland to the British colonies in America. They landed in Baltimore, Maryland, and stayed there for a while.

Joining the Militia

In 1774, Edward and his father joined the colonial Virginia Militia. This was during a conflict known as Lord Dunmore's War. Edward served as a private soldier.

Worthington was first noted as a surveyor in 1775. He was marking land near Beargrass Creek, close to the Ohio River.

Fighting in the American Revolution

Edward Worthington was one of the brave defenders at McClelland's Station in Kentucky. He was hurt during an attack by the Mingo chieftain, Pluggy, on December 29, 1776. The next month, Worthington traveled to Harrod's Town with George Rogers Clark.

Joining Clark's Illinois Regiment

In early 1778, Edward Worthington joined the Kentucky Militia. He became a captain under Colonel George Rogers Clark. Captain Worthington and Clark's Illinois Regiment traveled down the Ohio River. They were joined by thirteen pioneer families.

They arrived at Corn Island, which is now part of Louisville, Kentucky. At Corn Island, Colonel Clark set up his military camp. He trained his soldiers there for a secret mission. This mission was to capture the Illinois Country from the British.

Victory at Vincennes

In 1779, Edward Worthington was still serving under Clark. He took part in the siege of Vincennes. In this battle, they strongly defeated the British forces.

For his military service as a paymaster during the Illinois campaign, Edward Worthington was given 3,234 acres (13 km2) of land. That same year, he built Worthington's Fort. It was located about four miles (6 km) southeast of Danville, Kentucky.

Building Fort Jefferson

In 1780, Worthington was ordered to build Fort Jefferson. This fort was located at Chickasaw Bluff, south of where the Ohio River and Mississippi River meet. The fort was meant to protect American interests in Illinois County, Virginia. It would stop enemy attacks coming up the river from the Gulf of Mexico.

Virginia soldiers from Worthington's company guarded Fort Jefferson. However, in 1781, General Clark ordered Captain Worthington to leave the fort. It was too far away and hard to defend from constant attacks by the Chickasaw people.

Later Years and Passing

In 1804, Edward Worthington was in New Orleans, which was then part of the Louisiana Purchase in the United States. He was there for a business deal that went wrong. He had started a lawsuit against a man named Dan Callaghan. Worthington claimed Callaghan had cheated him out of a lot of money in a land deal.

Edward Worthington passed away from yellow fever before his case could be heard in court. However, his family continued the lawsuit. The court documents show that they won the case against Callaghan.