Richard Callaway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Callaway
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | June 14, 1717 |
| Died | November 8, 1780 (aged 63) |
| Cause of death | killed in ambush by Native Americans |
| Other names | Richard Calloway |
| Occupation | frontiersman, soldier, state militia officer, politician, justice of the peace, hunter |
| Known for | Being one of the frontiersman co-founders, along with Daniel Boone, of the frontier settlement of Transylvania and Boonesborough, Kentucky County, Virginia, a defender of Fort Boonesborough, during the 1778 siege, by Native Americans, and an early Kentucky soldier and politician. |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Hoy, Frances Walton |
| Children | John Calloway, Keziah Callaway, George Callaway, Zachariah Callaway, Mildred Noel, and 9 other children |
| Parent(s) | Joseph Callaway Jr. and Catherine Callaway |
Richard Callaway (born June 14, 1717 – died November 8, 1780) was an important early settler and explorer of Kentucky. He was born in Caroline County, Virginia. Callaway helped Daniel Boone in 1775 to create the Wilderness Road. This road was a path into central Kentucky. He also helped found the settlement of Boonesborough, Kentucky. He was part of setting up the short-lived Transylvania settlement.
Contents
Life on the Frontier
A Brave Rescue
In 1776, something scary happened. Two of Callaway's daughters were taken by Native Americans outside Boonesborough. Daniel Boone's daughter, Jemima, was also taken. Richard Callaway quickly led one of the groups that went to find them. They were successful in rescuing the girls. Later, Callaway's nephew, Flanders Callaway, married Jemima Boone.
Serving the Community
Richard Callaway was also involved in politics. In April 1777, he and John Todd were chosen to represent Kentucky in the Virginia legislature. This was like being a lawmaker for the area. In June 1778, he became a justice of the peace. This meant he helped keep order and fairness in the community. He was also made a colonel in the local militia. A militia is a group of citizens who act as soldiers to protect their area.
Defending Boonesborough
The Siege of 1778
Richard Callaway was a key defender during the 1778 siege of Boonesborough. This was a big attack on the fort by Native Americans. He worked hard to protect the settlers inside.
Different Ideas
Callaway and Daniel Boone sometimes had different ideas about how to lead. They both wanted what was best for the settlement. These differences led to some disagreements.
Legacy
On November 8, 1780, Colonel Richard Callaway was ambushed. This happened about a mile outside of Boonesborough. He was killed by a Shawnee war party. Calloway County, Kentucky, was named after him. This shows how important he was to the early history of Kentucky.
