Henry Skaggs facts for kids

Henry Skaggs (born January 8, 1724 – died December 4, 1810) was an American explorer and pioneer. He was also known as a "longhunter." He spent most of his life exploring the wild lands of what are now Tennessee and Kentucky in the late 1700s.

Skaggs started exploring around 1761. He was part of a group called longhunters. These were men who went on very long hunting trips into the wilderness. Later, he worked with famous people like Richard Henderson and Daniel Boone. As a land agent, he helped explore large parts of Middle Tennessee and Central Kentucky.

Early Life of Henry Skaggs

Henry Skaggs was born on January 8, 1724. His birthplace was in the Province of Maryland. This was a British colony in North America at the time. His parents were James and Rachel Skaggs. His father, James, was an immigrant from Scotland and Ireland. James Skaggs and his sons were well-known hunters and fur traders.

Adventures as a Longhunter

In 1761, Henry Skaggs joined an expedition. It was led by Elisha Walden. They explored Carter's Valley in what is now Hawkins County, Tennessee. After that, in 1763, he went on another trip. This one went deeper into the Cumberland territory.

Exploring the Cumberland Gap

In 1764, Henry Skaggs led his first expedition. They traveled through the Cumberland Gap. This is a mountain pass where Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia meet. These early trips caught the attention of the famous explorer Daniel Boone.

Boone knew a land investor named Richard Henderson. Boone helped Skaggs become an agent for Henderson's land company. In 1765, Skaggs explored the lower Cumberland River area. This is in upper Middle Tennessee today. He worked for Henderson and set up his own "station" there. A station was a small, fortified settlement. His station was near what is now Goodlettsville, Tennessee.

Meeting Daniel Boone

In the fall of 1769, Henry Skaggs returned to the Cumberland area. He was with Kasper Mansker, Joseph Drake, and Colonel James Knox. This group reached the Dix River in Kentucky. They then continued to the Green River country.

One day, the group heard a strange sound. It was unlike anything they had heard before. Mansker went to investigate. He found Daniel Boone lying on a deerskin, singing! Daniel and his brother, Squire, stayed with the group for a week or two. They hunted wild meat and prepared animal fat called tallow.

Skaggs Trace

A part of the famous Wilderness Road was named after Henry Skaggs. This section crosses Rockcastle County, Kentucky. It runs from Hazel Patch to Crab Orchard. It was known as "Skaggs Trace."

In June 1775, Skaggs led another expedition. He was with Valentine Harman. They guided Colonel Thomas Slaughter to the Green River country in Kentucky. They explored this land for Richard Henderson's Transylvania Company. This company had recently bought a large part of Central Kentucky.

Later Life and Death

Before 1792, Henry Skaggs may have lived near Big or Little Pittman’s Creek. These creeks flow into the Green River. This area is now in northeast Green County, Kentucky.

However, land claims in this part of Kentucky were limited. They were mostly for veterans of the Revolutionary War until 1796. After Barren County, Kentucky, was formed in 1798, Henry Skaggs made a land claim. In July 1801, he claimed 200 acres in Barren County Court. This land was likely near present-day Hiseville. He probably lived there until he passed away.

Henry Skaggs died naturally on December 4, 1810. He was 86 years old. He was buried in the Henry Skaggs Cemetery. This cemetery is near Hiseville and Park in Barren County. This spot is only a few miles from where he reportedly camped. He had camped there while first exploring the Green River country in 1770-71.