James Ward (frontiersman) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Captain James Ward
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Captain James Ward ca 1845
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| Born | September 19, 1763 Augusta County, Virginia
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| Died | February 27, 1846 (aged 82) Maysville, Mason, Ohio
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| Resting place | Washington Baptist Church Cemetery in Old Washington, Mason County, Kentucky |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | frontiersman, soldier, state militia officer, politician |
| Spouse(s) | Margaret Machir |
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Captain James Ward (born September 19, 1763 – died February 27, 1846) was an important early American settler. He was known for his adventures on the western frontier. He also served as a soldier and a politician in Kentucky. James Ward was even one of the people who helped carry Daniel Boone's coffin when he was reburied in 1845.
Contents
Early Life on the Frontier
James Ward was born on September 19, 1763. His birthplace was Staunton, Virginia. He was the third son of James and Phoebe Ward. His parents were immigrants from Scotland and Ireland.
His father, also named James Ward, was born in Ireland. He came to America as a baby around 1730. The Ward family lived on the edge of the American frontier. This was a wild area where settlers were just starting to build homes.
Before James was born, his family moved to what is now Greenbrier County, West Virginia. But after a big battle called Braddock's Defeat in 1755, the area became too dangerous. So, James Ward Sr. moved his family closer to Staunton. He also joined the army during the French and Indian War.
A Brother Lost and Found
In 1758, James's older brother, John, was captured. John was only three years old at the time. He was taken by the Shawnee people. James spent the first 30 years of his life searching for John. This search led him deeper into the frontier. It also caused him to have many encounters with the Shawnee and other Native American tribes.
After two important agreements in 1768, the Treaty of Hard Labour and the Treaty of Fort Stanwix, many settlers moved west again. The Ward family was one of them. They built a home on Anthony Creek in what is now West Virginia.
Exciting Flatboat Adventure
James Ward became famous for a story about his flatboat trip. This happened in 1785 on the Ohio River. A flatboat is a large, flat-bottomed boat used for carrying goods and people.
The story tells how Ward was guiding a 45-foot boat. It was full of horses and people. They had been traveling for several days without trouble. But then, their boat drifted too close to the north bank of the river. Suddenly, hundreds of Native Americans attacked them.
Ward was only 22 years old at the time. He knew he had to get the boat to the middle of the river to be safe. But before he could, his nephew was shot and killed. The horses on the boat were also killed.
One passenger, a former army captain, was very scared. He lay at the bottom of the boat as bullets flew over them. Another man, a very large Dutchman, tried to hide. But he was too big to get fully behind the boat's side. Finally, he stood up and yelled at the attackers to stop. Ward stayed calm and steered the boat for an hour. Eventually, the attackers gave up their chase.
This exciting story was first written down in a book called Sketches of Western Adventure in 1832. The author, John McClung, lived near Ward. So, he likely heard the story directly from James Ward himself.
Fighting in the Northwest Indian War
From 1785 to 1795, there was a conflict called the Northwest Indian War. James Ward and his brother Charles took part in raids against Native American tribes in Ohio. They hoped to find their lost brother, John, who had been taken by the Shawnee in 1758.
In 1786, Ward served with the Kentucky Militia. This was a group of citizen soldiers. He was part of Logan's Raid. This expedition was led by Colonel Benjamin Logan into the Mad River Valley.
In 1791, Ward joined Colonel John Edwards on a campaign. Edwards later became a Kentucky Senator. This campaign was against Native American villages. But the soldiers lost heart and returned without attacking.
Ward became a captain in the army in August 1792.
A Tragic Discovery
In April 1793, Captain Ward joined Simon Kenton to track a group of Shawnee. They had stolen horses in Mason County. Kenton and Ward found the Shawnee group. It included a famous leader named Tecumseh. They surrounded the camp at Paint Creek in Ohio. Their plan was to attack at dawn.
But the attack started at night, and Tecumseh and his group escaped. One Shawnee warrior was badly wounded. Sadly, this warrior was White Wolf, who turned out to be Captain James Ward's long-lost brother, John. This sad story was told in many books about frontier adventures.
In 1794, Captain Ward joined General "Mad" Anthony Wayne. Their campaign ended with the Battle of Fallen Timbers. This was a very important battle that helped end the Northwest Indian War.
Kentucky Politician
James Ward also served as a politician in Kentucky. He represented Mason County in the Kentucky House of Representatives. He served in this role in 1810, 1816, and 1818. Later, he was a Senator for Kentucky from 1823 to 1827.
Daniel Boone's Reburial
Captain James Ward was one of 11 people chosen to be a pallbearer. This means he helped carry the coffin at the reburial of Daniel Boone. This event happened on September 13, 1845, in Frankfort, Kentucky.
Someone who wrote about the event said that Captain James Ward's adventures and escapes from Native Americans were among the most amazing in Kentucky's history. They said he was a perfect choice to help bury the famous defender of Boonesborough.
Family Life and Death
James Ward married Margaret Machir on June 11, 1795. They were married in Mason County, Kentucky. They had seven children together.
Ward and his wife lived in Mason County, near Maysville. James Ward was also a leader in the Washington Presbyterian Church. Margaret died in 1831. James Ward passed away on February 27, 1846. He is buried at the Washington Baptist Church Cemetery in Old Washington, Mason County, Kentucky.
James's older brother, Colonel William Ward, was a business partner of Simon Kenton. He was also the person who founded the town of Urbana, Ohio.
