William Hardin facts for kids

Captain William Hardin (born around 1745 – died July 22, 1821) was an American soldier and farmer. He is famous for founding the town of Hardinsburg, Kentucky. People knew him as "Big Bill" or "Indian Bill." He was related to Colonel John Hardin, who gave his name to Hardin County, Kentucky.

Early Life and Family

William Hardin was born in Augusta County, Virginia, around 1745. His family came from France and were Huguenots. In 1765, he moved with his parents from Fauquier County, Virginia, to Pennsylvania. They settled near the Monongahela River.

In 1768, Hardin married Winifred "Winnie" Ann Holtzclaw. She was born in 1752 in Prince William County, Virginia. William and Winifred had nine children together. They also raised a niece and nephew. One of their children, William Hardin, Jr., became a member of the Kentucky legislature. He was also a postmaster in Frankfort for many years. After Winifred died in 1807, William married Susannah McGhee in 1808. They had two daughters, Hannah Ann and Lucinda.

Hardin was a soldier in the American Revolutionary War. He served as a private in the 3rd Virginia Regiment and the 5th Virginia Regiment.

Founding Hardinsburg

In August 1779, William Hardin traveled to explore Kentucky. He went with Sinclair, Christopher Bush, and Michael Leonard. They traveled down the Ohio River to the falls of the Ohio. This area is now Louisville, Kentucky, and already had a settlement.

They did not like the swampy land there. So, they continued down the Ohio River. They landed at the mouth of Sinking Creek. They planned to explore the land nearby. While exploring, a group of Native Americans chased them. Hardin and his men headed for safety at Hines' Fort. This fort is where Elizabethtown, Kentucky, is today.

They were attacked on their way to the fort. This likely happened near Big Spring, Kentucky. Sinclair was killed during the attack. Hardin and the others made it safely to Hines' Fort. Hardin stayed there until the next spring. Then, he, Bush, and Leonard returned to the falls of the Ohio. From there, they explored southeast. They finally reached the place where Hardinsburg now stands.

Hardin liked the location very much. He and his men built Fort Hardin there. It was also called Hardin's Station. This fort later grew into the town of Hardinsburg. Hardin then went back to Pennsylvania. He brought more families to settle in Kentucky.

"Indian Bill" and Conflicts

Kentucky settlers called William Hardin "Indian Bill." This was because of his involvement in conflicts with Native Americans. Native Americans knew him as "Big Bill" because he was a large man.

In 1786, the Northwest Indian War began. Hardin led about eighty men against the Shawnee people. This happened on the Saline River in what is now Illinois. Hardin and his men found a Shawnee camp with only three warriors guarding it. They attacked and killed them. The Kentuckians then ambushed other Shawnee warriors returning to camp.

Hardin was shot in both thighs at the start of the fight. But he sat on a log and kept directing his men. After the battle, Hardin's men carried him back across the Ohio River. He was badly wounded. They eventually reached Fort Vienna (now Calhoun, Kentucky). Hardin recovered there before returning to Hardin's Station.

Later Life and Death

William Hardin died on July 22, 1821, in Hardinsburg. The exact place where he is buried is not known. His house once stood on a bluff overlooking Hardin's Creek. It was in the southern part of Hardinsburg. For many years, it was a well-known landmark.

Hardin owned a lot of land at one time. This land was in what are now Breckinridge, Hardin, Meade, Grayson, Ohio, and Hancock counties. However, his house burned down. His important papers, like deeds and patents, were destroyed in the fire. Because of this, he lost most of the land he was supposed to own.