Westervelt massacre facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Westervelt massacre
A map of Kentucke County, Virginia made in 1784 by John Filson. The Westervelt massacre happened about 12 miles southeast of Low Dutch Station.
Location	Floyd's Fork and Broad Run, Kentucky
Date	June 27, 1780
Attack type	Massacre
Deaths	17 killed
Perpetrator(s)	Native Americans

The Westervelt massacre, also called the Westerfield massacre, was a surprise attack. It happened on June 27, 1780. Native Americans attacked a group of Dutch American families. These families were settlers moving through the frontier area. This event took place during the American Revolutionary War. It is remembered as one of the biggest attacks in the early history of Kentucky.

The settlers were trying to escape from an invasion led by Captain Bird. They left a settlement called Low Dutch Station. Their goal was to move to Harrodsburg, which was a safer, fortified town. They planned to travel south along what is now Old Shepherdsville Road. Then they would turn east along the Salt River trails. However, they never reached their destination. British-allied Native Americans were active in the area east of Low Dutch Station.

The group of settlers was traveling together in a caravan. They were attacked by surprise at night after traveling about 12 miles on June 26. Historians have debated the exact spot of the attack. But most agree it happened near Floyd's Fork and Broad Run in modern-day Kentucky. The caravan had 41 settlers from ten different families. Jacobus Westervelt was one of the Dutch-American settlers leading the group. Ten of the 17 people killed were from the Westervelt family. Men, women, and children all lost their lives in the attack. After the attack, the Native Americans took evidence of their actions to the British, who had offered rewards for such actions.

This massacre caused a lot of fear among settlers in the region. Many people then decided to join the Patriot militia. This group was led by George Rogers Clark. In September 2019, a special historical marker was put up. This marker is near Brooks in Bullitt County. It marks the spot where historians finally agreed the massacre happened.

Why Did It Happen?

Early Settlements in Kentucky

In 1609, the English colony of Virginia claimed a large area. This area included what is now the U.S. state of Kentucky. But for a long time, no white settlers explored this land. This changed in 1750. A group led by Thomas Walker explored the area. They reported on Native American activities and the land itself. They even built the first colonial house in Kentucky. But Walker's group soon returned to the colonies. White settlers did not live there permanently until 1775. This was at the start of the American Revolutionary War.

The Journey Begins

In 1780, a large group of Dutch American settlers arrived in Kentucky. They were led by Hendrick Banta. They founded a settlement called Low Dutch Station. It was located along Beargrass Creek. In the spring of 1780, Jacobus Westervelt and his family arrived in Kentucky County, Virginia. They were among the first settlers in the Kentucky frontier area. The Westervelts helped start the Low Dutch Station settlement.

However, by the summer of 1780, the area became more dangerous. Native American raids were increasing. The Westervelt family decided to move to Harrod's Town, Kentucky. Also, a British Army group of 750 men entered Kentucky. This group was led by Captain Henry Bird. Many settlers looked for safer places because of this. The British group entered Kentucky on May 25, 1780. On June 21, 1780, Jacobus Westervelt bought 400 acres of land near Harrod's Town. Soon after, he hired John Thixton to guide his group. The Dutch-American families gathered at Low Dutch Station. They started their journey on June 26, 1780.

The Attack

Early reports about the Westervelt massacre were written down. Lyman C. Draper collected these reports in 1865. The reports say the group camped near running water. This was about twelve miles from Low Dutch Station. The families traveling together included the Westervelts, Swans, McGlaughlins, Plyburns, and Thixtons. In the dark hours of early morning, the settlers woke up to terrible sounds.

Most of the men were killed very quickly. Only a few men, who were guides, managed to get away. These were John Thixton, William Thixton, and Thomas Pearce. Several wives and children were also killed. Others were taken as prisoners.