Barbara, Donna, Judy and any others interested in this topic, Below is a copy of Chapter III in the book we are preparing, "West of the Salt", about early Dutch settlers of Mercer Co., KY . It should be noted that the two groups led by Hendrick Banta and Sam Durie had no intention of settling in Mercer Co. They had planned to settle in the vicinity of Boonesborough., about 10 miles south of present-day Lexington, KY (Fayette Co.) However, they were driven to Fort Harrod (in Mercer Co.) by desperation and necessity after devastating Indian attacks. Fort Harrod was the "Gibralter" of the frontier, heavily fortified and surrounded by a number of "stations" that served as early warning systems against Indian raiding parties. Fort Harrod was never breached. For further enlightenment on these families and their ordeal we recommend Vincent Akers' study of the Low Dutch Company, published in "De Halve Maen" Vol. LV, No. 2, Summer 1980; the Banta family history, "Banta Pioneers"; and Rev. Demarest's, "History of the Low Dutch Colony of Conewago", published in local newspapers circa 1889. Barbara and Paul Terhune Chapter III Dutch Migration into Kentucky and The Low Dutch Company Settlement As the Revolutionary War progressed during the 1770s, the Dutch settlers at Conewago and Virginia began hearing stories of the Kentucky frontier. The Transylvania Co. had spread stories of the wonders of Kentucky to induce sales of land; and Harrod's Station and Boonesborough settlements started becoming well known. The Dutch were intrigued at the idea of the availability of cheap, fertile land supposedly being in Kentucky. They started to plan for a communal settlement on a huge land purchase that would accommodate their visceral need to preserve their Dutch culture and lifestyle. To that end, they decided to send an experienced Dutchman to determine the suitability of the land for settlement. In the spring of 1779, Samuel Duree left the Virginia area in the company of a party of other men, none Dutch, and traveled down the Wilderness Trail through the Cumberland Gap to Boonesborough. Despite the constant threat of Indian attack, the men traveled in the vicinity and made land claims. The claims (i.e. "improvements" in the vernacular of the day) were several miles south of Boonesborough and a few miles east of present-day Richmond. Duree's claims were on a creek at a location he deemed suitable for a water-driven mill. The men stayed the summer at Boonesborough and returned in the fall to their home settlements in the east. Samuel Duree's report to the Conewago Dutch must have satisfied them, for they prepared for a mass migration to Kentucky the following spring. In the late winter of 1780, Duree led a group of Dutch settlers up through the Cumberland Gap to White Oak Spring station which was near Boonesborough. The number of Dutch settlers was in the order of 30 and included Dutch families of Duree, Banta and Voris. Meanwhile, Hendrick Banta led a much larger group of Dutch settlers in the winter of 1779 to Fort Pitt (now Pittsburgh). The number of Dutch is estimated to be at least 75, but many were young children. In the spring of 1780, the group departed Fort Pitt and made their way down the Ohio River on flat-boats to the falls of the Ohio, now the location of Louisville. This was the largest group of Dutch migrants to Kentucky although smaller groups would follow in later years. Again, the usual Dutch families were prominent in this group - Van Arsdall, Demaree, Voris and Banta, to name a few. The Dutch settlers at Louisville proceeded to build a "station" on rented land near an existing station. "Station" was a term of the times, describing a group of fortified cabins, perhaps enclosed in a stockade. The renting of land was common and cheap since the renter had to clear the trees and brush, hence improving the land for the landlord. This land was south of the Falls on what was then (and still is) called Beargrass Creek. These Louisville settlers elected to remain there in 1780 and raise crops with the intention being to proceed to Boonesborough the following year. A few of the settlers became impatient and left for Boonesborough with their families. That was a tragic error. Indian raiding parties were in the area near the Ohio River, particularly along travel routes. They ambushed these families, killing several and capturing others. Only a few survivors made their way back to the station at Beargrass Creek. In June 1780, Ruddle's and Martin's Forts in Kentucky were attacked and captured by British-led Indians. In retaliation, George Rogers Clark led an expedition into Ohio and destroyed a number of Indian villages and their supplies. Several of the young Dutchmen volunteered to serve in this campaign as well as in the militia defending against Indians. A few were captured by Indians and sold to the British. They eventually escaped and made their way back to Kentucky. In the spring of 1781 a group of Dutchmen from the Beargrass station traveled to White Oak Spring near Boonesborough. This group was primarily Bantas, Durees and Voris. They spent several weeks building cabins at the Samuel Duree claim, then returned to Boonesborough. A few returned to the cabins and were killed by Indians. Later that year other Dutch settlers were killed near Boonesborough and near present day Richmond. Discouraged, the settlers returned to the Beargrass station and made no further attempts to settle around Boonesborough. Later that year, many (but not all) of the Dutch families moved from the Beargrass station to Mercer Co., KY where they built the second Low Dutch Station. This station was built a few miles southeast of Harrodsburg on land rented from James Harrod and near his station. They were soon joined by the remaining Dutch from the Boonesborough area. It was clear that establishing a colony in that area was impossible. However, the Dutch were not to be dissuaded from their concept of a huge communal common tract of land. They regarded their sojourn in Mercer Co as temporary and not a single Dutchman bought land locally in those days. As time passed and more Dutch migrants arrived, some went to other stations such as the McAfee station a few miles north of Harrodsburg. Squire Boone, the brother of Daniel Boone, had established a station in what is now Shelby County in 1780. By 1781 a number of Dutch families from the Beargrass station , about 30 miles away, had joined him. Boone was wounded by Indians in the spring of 1781; and continuing Indian activity led to a decision to abandon the station and return to the Beargrass station. Although escorted by a militia from Beargrass, they were attacked and several were killed. The dead included several Demarees and a Riker. This became known as the "Long Run Massacre." Settlement in the Shelby County area had also become untenable. By 1783 the Dutch around Harrodsburg were in a quandary; the lands in Shelby and around Boonesborough were too dangerous and the local land had already been claimed. There was no large tract of farmland that they could afford to buy. In desperation, they sent a letter to the Continental Congress signed by 46 Dutch heads of families in Kentucky and 105 "intended friends" who were still in Conewago or New Jersey, but intended to settle in KY later. The letter reads in part: "To the Honourable President and Delegates of the Free United States of America in Congress Assembled:... "That in the Spring of the Year 1780 they moved to Kentuckey (sic) with their families and effects with a view and expectation to procure a Tract of Land to enable them to settle together in a body... "...most of all the Tillable Land has been Located and monopolised by persons that had the advantage of ...being acquainted with the country... "Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray, (in behalf of themselves and other intended settlers of that persuasion) the Honourable Congress would indulge them with a grant of a Tract or Territory of Land in Kentuckey settlement..." The Congressional reply was that it would be improper to make any western land grants. The Dutch settlers were on their own. Some Dutch at Beargrass station continued to make forays into Shelby County near Boone station and a few claimed some land. However, they were always forced back to Beargrass by Indian attacks. In 1782, Boone obtained a Virginia warrant for 12,000 acres in Shelby and Henry Counties, part of which overlapped other claims. By 1786 the other claims had been settled and a final survey was made. The land purchased from Boone together with other purchases totaled about 8500 acres with a total price of about £1835. The Dutch selected Abraham Banta as their agent to buy the property. The deal was consummated on March 13, 1786 and the Dutch immediately met at Harrodsburg to sign what they referred to as an "Article of Agreement." This document formed what was referred to as the "Low Dutch Company." This document was very significant to the Dutch colony. While it was signed by only 36 heads of families, it was generally agreed upon by all. In addition to specifying the terms and conditions of the land purchase, it also specified the social mores of the Dutch who would occupy it. It called for the building of a church and the selection of a Dutch Reformed minister. Perhaps more significantly, it called for the teaching of the Dutch language to the children and for sharing the costs relating to said minister and in purchasing and maintaining the land. It represented the true intent of the Dutch to stand apart from the surrounding Anglo community and pursue a communal life. The Dutch immediately started to move to their new tract of land. A nearby station, Ketchoms, was employed as a base from which to operate. Work had hardly begun when severe Indian attacks started in the area. Several Dutch families were killed and the situation became hopeless. They were forced to retreat yet again to the relative safe area of Harrodsburg. A few Dutch made sporadic attempts to settle in the area over the next few years, but further killings continued. It would be ten years before the Low Dutch tract could be safely settled. One might wonder why the Dutch would have tried such a perilous venture. They were unhappy living in cramped quarters in the Mercer County stations. They had no church or minister; and no land of their own. Perhaps they did not recognize the full extent of the Indian threat or put their trust in God to protect them. In any event, they were simple farmers, not experienced Indian fighters, who sought merely to live in peace and to be left alone. By around 1796, the Dutch were finally able to move into their settlement in Shelby and Henry Counties. The land was divided into mostly 200 acre tracts per family. Obviously the acreage obtained would only accommodate about 40 families. However many Dutch bought land in the surrounding area. Their tract was located at what is now Pleasantville, KY. See Figure ____. It was originally known as "Bantatown". At last they could have their Dutch Reformed Church and they did! It was called the "6 Mile" church. In 1795 the Dutch Reformed Church of New York sent a missionary to Harrodsburg to organize a church. He was Peter Labaugh and he spent several months in this endeavor. However, Kentucky was too far to send a Dutch Reformed preacher and the settlers at "6 Mile", as well as Harrodsburg had to settle for Presbyterian preachers. The Presbyterian Church was also Calvinist and hence they shared many common beliefs. Of course, the Dutch language was not used, nor were other Dutch customs. Eventually the Dutch aligned themselves with this church and the congregation at "6 Mile" was served by the Rev. Archibald Cameron for many years. The first elders of the church were Albert Voorhees, Peter Banta and George List. Shortly after 1800, there was a great religious schism sometimes referred to as the "Great Awakening." Campground meetings of 10,000 or more people occurred. A New England sect, the Shakers, sent missionaries to Kentucky. A number of Dutch, especially Bantas were converted and gave their land to join the Shakers. Elisha Thomas gave his property to the Shakers which was the start of their colony a few miles west of Harrodsburg. To join, all property had to be converted to the church and the convert's life was totally communal. Further, there was no marriage allowed and all were celibate. Perhaps some of the Dutch were attracted to this church because of their extreme communal life. Counting children and grandchildren, 36 Bantas alone were eventually buried at Shakertown (now Pleasant Hill). The "mainstream" Dutch at 6-Mile Church were not happy with these defections from their church. The numbers of Dutch converting to Shakers was probably the beginning of the end of the Low Dutch Company. By 1817, a number of Dutch families began moving to Johnson and Switzerland Counties, Indiana. The Indian threat was now gone and the land was cheap, $1.25 per acre. This movement continued for the next twenty years. The Shelby and Henry County lands had to be converted from communal ownership to private owners. The final trustees during the land conversion were George Bergen and Tunis Van Nuys and the deeds recorded in the respective Shelby and Henry Co. courthouses. Before 1840 all the Low Dutch Company land had been sold to private owners. Sadly, Henry Banta's 1780 dream of a Dutch community in Kentucky had suffered the same fate as Conewago years earlier. ===

Hello Barbara, I would very much purchase a copy of, "West of the Salt". Please put my name; Jon Wenzel, 5487 Gunther Road, Mariposa, California, 95338; and e-mail; jdw22745@yahoo.com on a list of people to be notified when the book is finished. Have a Good day, Jon Wenzel --- Barbara Terhune <batcave@695online.com> wrote: > Barbara, Donna, Judy and any others interested in > this topic, > > Below is a copy of Chapter III in the book we are > preparing, "West of > the Salt", about early Dutch settlers of Mercer > Co., KY . > It should be noted that the two groups led by > Hendrick Banta and Sam > Durie had no intention of settling in Mercer Co. > They > had planned to settle in the vicinity of > Boonesborough., about 10 miles > south of present-day Lexington, KY (Fayette Co.) > > However, they were driven to Fort Harrod (in Mercer > Co.) by desperation > and necessity after devastating Indian attacks. > Fort Harrod > was the "Gibralter" of the frontier, heavily > fortified and surrounded > by a number of "stations" that served as early > warning systems > against Indian raiding parties. Fort Harrod was > never breached. > > For further enlightenment on these families and > their ordeal we > recommend Vincent Akers' study of the Low Dutch > Company, > published in "De Halve Maen" Vol. LV, No. 2, Summer > 1980; the Banta > family history, "Banta Pioneers"; and Rev. > Demarest's, > "History of the Low Dutch Colony of Conewago", > published in local > newspapers circa 1889. > > Barbara and Paul Terhune > > Chapter III > Dutch Migration into Kentucky and > The Low Dutch Company Settlement > > As the Revolutionary War progressed during the > 1770s, the Dutch > settlers at Conewago and Virginia began hearing > stories of the Kentucky > frontier. The Transylvania Co. had spread stories > of the wonders of > Kentucky to induce sales of land; and Harrod's > Station and Boonesborough > settlements started becoming well known. The Dutch > were intrigued at > the idea of the availability of cheap, fertile land > supposedly being in > Kentucky. They started to plan for a communal > settlement on a huge land > purchase that would accommodate their visceral need > to preserve their > Dutch culture and lifestyle. To that end, they > decided to send an > experienced Dutchman to determine the suitability of > the land for > settlement. > > In the spring of 1779, Samuel Duree left the > Virginia area in the > company of a party of other men, none Dutch, and > traveled down the > Wilderness Trail through the Cumberland Gap to > Boonesborough. Despite > the constant threat of Indian attack, the men > traveled in the vicinity > and made land claims. The claims (i.e. > "improvements" in the vernacular > of the day) were several miles south of > Boonesborough and a few miles > east of present-day Richmond. Duree's claims were > on a creek at a > location he deemed suitable for a water-driven mill. > The men stayed the > summer at Boonesborough and returned in the fall to > their home > settlements in the east. Samuel Duree's report to > the Conewago Dutch > must have satisfied them, for they prepared for a > mass migration to > Kentucky the following spring. > > In the late winter of 1780, Duree led a group of > Dutch settlers up > through the Cumberland Gap to White Oak Spring > station which was near > Boonesborough. The number of Dutch settlers was in > the order of 30 and > included Dutch families of Duree, Banta and Voris. > Meanwhile, Hendrick > Banta led a much larger group of Dutch settlers in > the winter of 1779 to > Fort Pitt (now Pittsburgh). The number of Dutch is > estimated to be at > least 75, but many were young children. In the > spring of 1780, the > group departed Fort Pitt and made their way down the > Ohio River on > flat-boats to the falls of the Ohio, now the > location of Louisville. > This was the largest group of Dutch migrants to > Kentucky although > smaller groups would follow in later years. Again, > the usual Dutch > families were prominent in this group - Van Arsdall, > Demaree, Voris and > Banta, to name a few. > > The Dutch settlers at Louisville proceeded to > build a "station" on > rented land near an existing station. "Station" was > a term of the > times, describing a group of fortified cabins, > perhaps enclosed in a > stockade. The renting of land was common and cheap > since the renter had > to clear the trees and brush, hence improving the > land for the > landlord. This land was south of the Falls on what > was then (and still > is) called Beargrass Creek. > > These Louisville settlers elected to remain > there in 1780 and raise > crops with the intention being to proceed to > Boonesborough the following > year. A few of the settlers became impatient and > left for > Boonesborough with their families. That was a > tragic error. Indian > raiding parties were in the area near the Ohio > River, particularly along > travel routes. They ambushed these families, > killing several and > capturing others. Only a few survivors made their > way back to the > station at Beargrass Creek. > > In June 1780, Ruddle's and Martin's Forts in > Kentucky were attacked > and captured by British-led Indians. In > retaliation, George Rogers > Clark led an expedition into Ohio and destroyed a > number of Indian > villages and their supplies. Several of the young > Dutchmen volunteered > to serve in this campaign as well as in the militia > defending against > Indians. A few were captured by Indians and sold to > the British. They > eventually escaped and made their way back to > Kentucky. > > In the spring of 1781 a group of Dutchmen from > the Beargrass station > traveled to White Oak Spring near Boonesborough. > This group was > primarily Bantas, Durees and Voris. They spent > several weeks building > cabins at the Samuel Duree claim, then returned to > Boonesborough. A few > returned to the cabins and were killed by Indians. > Later that year > other Dutch settlers were killed near Boonesborough > and near present day > Richmond. Discouraged, the settlers returned to the > Beargrass station > and made no further attempts to settle around > Boonesborough. > > Later that year, many (but not all) of the Dutch > families moved from > the Beargrass station to Mercer Co., KY where they > built the second Low > Dutch Station. This station was built a few miles > southeast of > Harrodsburg on land rented from James Harrod and > near his station. They > were soon joined by the remaining Dutch from the > Boonesborough area. It > was clear that establishing a colony in that area > was impossible. > However, the Dutch were not to be dissuaded from > their concept of a huge > communal common tract of land. They regarded their > sojourn in Mercer Co > as temporary and not a single Dutchman bought land > locally in those > days. As time passed and more Dutch migrants > arrived, some went to > other stations such as the McAfee station a few > miles north of Harrodsburg. > > === message truncated === ____________________________________________________________________________________Get the free Yahoo! toolbar and rest assured with the added security of spyware protection. http://new.toolbar.yahoo.com/toolbar/features/norton/index.php

Paragraph: By around 1796, the Dutch were finally able to move: Their tract was located at what is now PLEASUREVILLE, not Pleasantville. (I live close by and John Calvin Montfort is buried very close to Pleasureville. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Barbara Terhune" <batcave@695online.com> To: <dutch-colonies@rootsweb.com>; <kymercer@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 10:41 AM Subject: Re: [DUTCH-COLONIES] Kentucky Migration Barbara, Donna, Judy and any others interested in this topic, Below is a copy of Chapter III in the book we are preparing, "West of the Salt", about early Dutch settlers of Mercer Co., KY . It should be noted that the two groups led by Hendrick Banta and Sam Durie had no intention of settling in Mercer Co. They had planned to settle in the vicinity of Boonesborough., about 10 miles south of present-day Lexington, KY (Fayette Co.) However, they were driven to Fort Harrod (in Mercer Co.) by desperation and necessity after devastating Indian attacks. Fort Harrod was the "Gibralter" of the frontier, heavily fortified and surrounded by a number of "stations" that served as early warning systems against Indian raiding parties. Fort Harrod was never breached. For further enlightenment on these families and their ordeal we recommend Vincent Akers' study of the Low Dutch Company, published in "De Halve Maen" Vol. LV, No. 2, Summer 1980; the Banta family history, "Banta Pioneers"; and Rev. Demarest's, "History of the Low Dutch Colony of Conewago", published in local newspapers circa 1889. Barbara and Paul Terhune Chapter III Dutch Migration into Kentucky and The Low Dutch Company Settlement As the Revolutionary War progressed during the 1770s, the Dutch settlers at Conewago and Virginia began hearing stories of the Kentucky frontier. The Transylvania Co. had spread stories of the wonders of Kentucky to induce sales of land; and Harrod's Station and Boonesborough settlements started becoming well known. The Dutch were intrigued at the idea of the availability of cheap, fertile land supposedly being in Kentucky. They started to plan for a communal settlement on a huge land purchase that would accommodate their visceral need to preserve their Dutch culture and lifestyle. To that end, they decided to send an experienced Dutchman to determine the suitability of the land for settlement. In the spring of 1779, Samuel Duree left the Virginia area in the company of a party of other men, none Dutch, and traveled down the Wilderness Trail through the Cumberland Gap to Boonesborough. Despite the constant threat of Indian attack, the men traveled in the vicinity and made land claims. The claims (i.e. "improvements" in the vernacular of the day) were several miles south of Boonesborough and a few miles east of present-day Richmond. Duree's claims were on a creek at a location he deemed suitable for a water-driven mill. The men stayed the summer at Boonesborough and returned in the fall to their home settlements in the east. Samuel Duree's report to the Conewago Dutch must have satisfied them, for they prepared for a mass migration to Kentucky the following spring. In the late winter of 1780, Duree led a group of Dutch settlers up through the Cumberland Gap to White Oak Spring station which was near Boonesborough. The number of Dutch settlers was in the order of 30 and included Dutch families of Duree, Banta and Voris. Meanwhile, Hendrick Banta led a much larger group of Dutch settlers in the winter of 1779 to Fort Pitt (now Pittsburgh). The number of Dutch is estimated to be at least 75, but many were young children. In the spring of 1780, the group departed Fort Pitt and made their way down the Ohio River on flat-boats to the falls of the Ohio, now the location of Louisville. This was the largest group of Dutch migrants to Kentucky although smaller groups would follow in later years. Again, the usual Dutch families were prominent in this group - Van Arsdall, Demaree, Voris and Banta, to name a few. The Dutch settlers at Louisville proceeded to build a "station" on rented land near an existing station. "Station" was a term of the times, describing a group of fortified cabins, perhaps enclosed in a stockade. The renting of land was common and cheap since the renter had to clear the trees and brush, hence improving the land for the landlord. This land was south of the Falls on what was then (and still is) called Beargrass Creek. These Louisville settlers elected to remain there in 1780 and raise crops with the intention being to proceed to Boonesborough the following year. A few of the settlers became impatient and left for Boonesborough with their families. That was a tragic error. Indian raiding parties were in the area near the Ohio River, particularly along travel routes. They ambushed these families, killing several and capturing others. Only a few survivors made their way back to the station at Beargrass Creek. In June 1780, Ruddle's and Martin's Forts in Kentucky were attacked and captured by British-led Indians. In retaliation, George Rogers Clark led an expedition into Ohio and destroyed a number of Indian villages and their supplies. Several of the young Dutchmen volunteered to serve in this campaign as well as in the militia defending against Indians. A few were captured by Indians and sold to the British. They eventually escaped and made their way back to Kentucky. In the spring of 1781 a group of Dutchmen from the Beargrass station traveled to White Oak Spring near Boonesborough. This group was primarily Bantas, Durees and Voris. They spent several weeks building cabins at the Samuel Duree claim, then returned to Boonesborough. A few returned to the cabins and were killed by Indians. Later that year other Dutch settlers were killed near Boonesborough and near present day Richmond. Discouraged, the settlers returned to the Beargrass station and made no further attempts to settle around Boonesborough. Later that year, many (but not all) of the Dutch families moved from the Beargrass station to Mercer Co., KY where they built the second Low Dutch Station. This station was built a few miles southeast of Harrodsburg on land rented from James Harrod and near his station. They were soon joined by the remaining Dutch from the Boonesborough area. It was clear that establishing a colony in that area was impossible. However, the Dutch were not to be dissuaded from their concept of a huge communal common tract of land. They regarded their sojourn in Mercer Co as temporary and not a single Dutchman bought land locally in those days. As time passed and more Dutch migrants arrived, some went to other stations such as the McAfee station a few miles north of Harrodsburg. Squire Boone, the brother of Daniel Boone, had established a station in what is now Shelby County in 1780. By 1781 a number of Dutch families from the Beargrass station , about 30 miles away, had joined him. Boone was wounded by Indians in the spring of 1781; and continuing Indian activity led to a decision to abandon the station and return to the Beargrass station. Although escorted by a militia from Beargrass, they were attacked and several were killed. The dead included several Demarees and a Riker. This became known as the "Long Run Massacre." Settlement in the Shelby County area had also become untenable. By 1783 the Dutch around Harrodsburg were in a quandary; the lands in Shelby and around Boonesborough were too dangerous and the local land had already been claimed. There was no large tract of farmland that they could afford to buy. In desperation, they sent a letter to the Continental Congress signed by 46 Dutch heads of families in Kentucky and 105 "intended friends" who were still in Conewago or New Jersey, but intended to settle in KY later. The letter reads in part: "To the Honourable President and Delegates of the Free United States of America in Congress Assembled:... "That in the Spring of the Year 1780 they moved to Kentuckey (sic) with their families and effects with a view and expectation to procure a Tract of Land to enable them to settle together in a body... "...most of all the Tillable Land has been Located and monopolised by persons that had the advantage of ...being acquainted with the country... "Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray, (in behalf of themselves and other intended settlers of that persuasion) the Honourable Congress would indulge them with a grant of a Tract or Territory of Land in Kentuckey settlement..." The Congressional reply was that it would be improper to make any western land grants. The Dutch settlers were on their own. Some Dutch at Beargrass station continued to make forays into Shelby County near Boone station and a few claimed some land. However, they were always forced back to Beargrass by Indian attacks. In 1782, Boone obtained a Virginia warrant for 12,000 acres in Shelby and Henry Counties, part of which overlapped other claims. By 1786 the other claims had been settled and a final survey was made. The land purchased from Boone together with other purchases totaled about 8500 acres with a total price of about £1835. The Dutch selected Abraham Banta as their agent to buy the property. The deal was consummated on March 13, 1786 and the Dutch immediately met at Harrodsburg to sign what they referred to as an "Article of Agreement." This document formed what was referred to as the "Low Dutch Company." This document was very significant to the Dutch colony. While it was signed by only 36 heads of families, it was generally agreed upon by all. In addition to specifying the terms and conditions of the land purchase, it also specified the social mores of the Dutch who would occupy it. It called for the building of a church and the selection of a Dutch Reformed minister. Perhaps more significantly, it called for the teaching of the Dutch language to the children and for sharing the costs relating to said minister and in purchasing and maintaining the land. It represented the true intent of the Dutch to stand apart from the surrounding Anglo community and pursue a communal life. The Dutch immediately started to move to their new tract of land. A nearby station, Ketchoms, was employed as a base from which to operate. Work had hardly begun when severe Indian attacks started in the area. Several Dutch families were killed and the situation became hopeless. They were forced to retreat yet again to the relative safe area of Harrodsburg. A few Dutch made sporadic attempts to settle in the area over the next few years, but further killings continued. It would be ten years before the Low Dutch tract could be safely settled. One might wonder why the Dutch would have tried such a perilous venture. They were unhappy living in cramped quarters in the Mercer County stations. They had no church or minister; and no land of their own. Perhaps they did not recognize the full extent of the Indian threat or put their trust in God to protect them. In any event, they were simple farmers, not experienced Indian fighters, who sought merely to live in peace and to be left alone. By around 1796, the Dutch were finally able to move into their settlement in Shelby and Henry Counties. The land was divided into mostly 200 acre tracts per family. Obviously the acreage obtained would only accommodate about 40 families. However many Dutch bought land in the surrounding area. Their tract was located at what is now Pleasantville, KY. See Figure ____. It was originally known as "Bantatown". At last they could have their Dutch Reformed Church and they did! It was called the "6 Mile" church. In 1795 the Dutch Reformed Church of New York sent a missionary to Harrodsburg to organize a church. He was Peter Labaugh and he spent several months in this endeavor. However, Kentucky was too far to send a Dutch Reformed preacher and the settlers at "6 Mile", as well as Harrodsburg had to settle for Presbyterian preachers. The Presbyterian Church was also Calvinist and hence they shared many common beliefs. Of course, the Dutch language was not used, nor were other Dutch customs. Eventually the Dutch aligned themselves with this church and the congregation at "6 Mile" was served by the Rev. Archibald Cameron for many years. The first elders of the church were Albert Voorhees, Peter Banta and George List. Shortly after 1800, there was a great religious schism sometimes referred to as the "Great Awakening." Campground meetings of 10,000 or more people occurred. A New England sect, the Shakers, sent missionaries to Kentucky. A number of Dutch, especially Bantas were converted and gave their land to join the Shakers. Elisha Thomas gave his property to the Shakers which was the start of their colony a few miles west of Harrodsburg. To join, all property had to be converted to the church and the convert's life was totally communal. Further, there was no marriage allowed and all were celibate. Perhaps some of the Dutch were attracted to this church because of their extreme communal life. Counting children and grandchildren, 36 Bantas alone were eventually buried at Shakertown (now Pleasant Hill). The "mainstream" Dutch at 6-Mile Church were not happy with these defections from their church. The numbers of Dutch converting to Shakers was probably the beginning of the end of the Low Dutch Company. By 1817, a number of Dutch families began moving to Johnson and Switzerland Counties, Indiana. The Indian threat was now gone and the land was cheap, $1.25 per acre. This movement continued for the next twenty years. The Shelby and Henry County lands had to be converted from communal ownership to private owners. The final trustees during the land conversion were George Bergen and Tunis Van Nuys and the deeds recorded in the respective Shelby and Henry Co. courthouses. Before 1840 all the Low Dutch Company land had been sold to private owners. Sadly, Henry Banta's 1780 dream of a Dutch community in Kentucky had suffered the same fate as Conewago years earlier. === ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to DUTCH-COLONIES-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

You are correct, Donna, we were WRONG ! Thank you for catching this error and letting us know. The correct name of the original "Banta Town" is Pleasureville. My hubby grew up in Harrodsburg, just a few miles from "Shakertown" which is now called Pleasant Hill. Also an ancient neighborhood church is called "Mount Pleasant". I guess we had "pleasant" on the brain! Also, we found another error. The number of signatures on the letter begging the Continental Congress for a land grant for the Dutch was 46, NOT 36. Actually, this is a draft, part of a much larger study we have yet to complete, so I reckon we haven't proofed it well enough. I have corrected these below. Thanks again, Barb Donna Stark wrote: >Paragraph: By around 1796, the Dutch were finally able to move: Their tract >was located at what is now PLEASUREVILLE, not Pleasantville. (I live close >by and John Calvin Montfort is buried very close to Pleasureville. >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Barbara Terhune" <batcave@695online.com> >To: <dutch-colonies@rootsweb.com>; <kymercer@rootsweb.com> >Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 10:41 AM >Subject: Re: [DUTCH-COLONIES] Kentucky Migration > > >Barbara and Paul Terhune > >Chapter III >Dutch Migration into Kentucky and >The Low Dutch Company Settlement > >... > > This document was very significant to the Dutch colony. While it >was signed by only 46 heads of families, it was generally agreed upon by >all. In addition to specifying the terms and conditions of the land >purchase, it also specified the social mores of the Dutch who would >occupy it. It called for the building of a church and the selection of >a Dutch Reformed minister. Perhaps more significantly, it called for >the teaching of the Dutch language to the children and for sharing the >costs relating to said minister and in purchasing and maintaining the >land. It represented the true intent of the Dutch to stand apart from >the surrounding Anglo community and pursue a communal life. > > ... > > By around 1796, the Dutch were finally able to move into their >settlement in Shelby and Henry Counties. The land was divided into >mostly 200 acre tracts per family. Obviously the acreage obtained would >only accommodate about 40 families. However many Dutch bought land in >the surrounding area. Their tract was located at what is now >PLEASUREVILLE, KY. See Figure ____. ... > ...

Love Montfort was born at Shakertown, her mother was expecting her before they went there. Donna ----- Original Message ----- From: "Barbara Terhune" <batcave@695online.com> To: <dutch-colonies@rootsweb.com>; <kymercer@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 10:41 AM Subject: Re: [DUTCH-COLONIES] Kentucky Migration Barbara, Donna, Judy and any others interested in this topic, Below is a copy of Chapter III in the book we are preparing, "West of the Salt", about early Dutch settlers of Mercer Co., KY . It should be noted that the two groups led by Hendrick Banta and Sam Durie had no intention of settling in Mercer Co. They had planned to settle in the vicinity of Boonesborough., about 10 miles south of present-day Lexington, KY (Fayette Co.) However, they were driven to Fort Harrod (in Mercer Co.) by desperation and necessity after devastating Indian attacks. Fort Harrod was the "Gibralter" of the frontier, heavily fortified and surrounded by a number of "stations" that served as early warning systems against Indian raiding parties. Fort Harrod was never breached. For further enlightenment on these families and their ordeal we recommend Vincent Akers' study of the Low Dutch Company, published in "De Halve Maen" Vol. LV, No. 2, Summer 1980; the Banta family history, "Banta Pioneers"; and Rev. Demarest's, "History of the Low Dutch Colony of Conewago", published in local newspapers circa 1889. Barbara and Paul Terhune Chapter III Dutch Migration into Kentucky and The Low Dutch Company Settlement As the Revolutionary War progressed during the 1770s, the Dutch settlers at Conewago and Virginia began hearing stories of the Kentucky frontier. The Transylvania Co. had spread stories of the wonders of Kentucky to induce sales of land; and Harrod's Station and Boonesborough settlements started becoming well known. The Dutch were intrigued at the idea of the availability of cheap, fertile land supposedly being in Kentucky. They started to plan for a communal settlement on a huge land purchase that would accommodate their visceral need to preserve their Dutch culture and lifestyle. To that end, they decided to send an experienced Dutchman to determine the suitability of the land for settlement. In the spring of 1779, Samuel Duree left the Virginia area in the company of a party of other men, none Dutch, and traveled down the Wilderness Trail through the Cumberland Gap to Boonesborough. Despite the constant threat of Indian attack, the men traveled in the vicinity and made land claims. The claims (i.e. "improvements" in the vernacular of the day) were several miles south of Boonesborough and a few miles east of present-day Richmond. Duree's claims were on a creek at a location he deemed suitable for a water-driven mill. The men stayed the summer at Boonesborough and returned in the fall to their home settlements in the east. Samuel Duree's report to the Conewago Dutch must have satisfied them, for they prepared for a mass migration to Kentucky the following spring. In the late winter of 1780, Duree led a group of Dutch settlers up through the Cumberland Gap to White Oak Spring station which was near Boonesborough. The number of Dutch settlers was in the order of 30 and included Dutch families of Duree, Banta and Voris. Meanwhile, Hendrick Banta led a much larger group of Dutch settlers in the winter of 1779 to Fort Pitt (now Pittsburgh). The number of Dutch is estimated to be at least 75, but many were young children. In the spring of 1780, the group departed Fort Pitt and made their way down the Ohio River on flat-boats to the falls of the Ohio, now the location of Louisville. This was the largest group of Dutch migrants to Kentucky although smaller groups would follow in later years. Again, the usual Dutch families were prominent in this group - Van Arsdall, Demaree, Voris and Banta, to name a few. The Dutch settlers at Louisville proceeded to build a "station" on rented land near an existing station. "Station" was a term of the times, describing a group of fortified cabins, perhaps enclosed in a stockade. The renting of land was common and cheap since the renter had to clear the trees and brush, hence improving the land for the landlord. This land was south of the Falls on what was then (and still is) called Beargrass Creek. These Louisville settlers elected to remain there in 1780 and raise crops with the intention being to proceed to Boonesborough the following year. A few of the settlers became impatient and left for Boonesborough with their families. That was a tragic error. Indian raiding parties were in the area near the Ohio River, particularly along travel routes. They ambushed these families, killing several and capturing others. Only a few survivors made their way back to the station at Beargrass Creek. In June 1780, Ruddle's and Martin's Forts in Kentucky were attacked and captured by British-led Indians. In retaliation, George Rogers Clark led an expedition into Ohio and destroyed a number of Indian villages and their supplies. Several of the young Dutchmen volunteered to serve in this campaign as well as in the militia defending against Indians. A few were captured by Indians and sold to the British. They eventually escaped and made their way back to Kentucky. In the spring of 1781 a group of Dutchmen from the Beargrass station traveled to White Oak Spring near Boonesborough. This group was primarily Bantas, Durees and Voris. They spent several weeks building cabins at the Samuel Duree claim, then returned to Boonesborough. A few returned to the cabins and were killed by Indians. Later that year other Dutch settlers were killed near Boonesborough and near present day Richmond. Discouraged, the settlers returned to the Beargrass station and made no further attempts to settle around Boonesborough. Later that year, many (but not all) of the Dutch families moved from the Beargrass station to Mercer Co., KY where they built the second Low Dutch Station. This station was built a few miles southeast of Harrodsburg on land rented from James Harrod and near his station. They were soon joined by the remaining Dutch from the Boonesborough area. It was clear that establishing a colony in that area was impossible. However, the Dutch were not to be dissuaded from their concept of a huge communal common tract of land. They regarded their sojourn in Mercer Co as temporary and not a single Dutchman bought land locally in those days. As time passed and more Dutch migrants arrived, some went to other stations such as the McAfee station a few miles north of Harrodsburg. Squire Boone, the brother of Daniel Boone, had established a station in what is now Shelby County in 1780. By 1781 a number of Dutch families from the Beargrass station , about 30 miles away, had joined him. Boone was wounded by Indians in the spring of 1781; and continuing Indian activity led to a decision to abandon the station and return to the Beargrass station. Although escorted by a militia from Beargrass, they were attacked and several were killed. The dead included several Demarees and a Riker. This became known as the "Long Run Massacre." Settlement in the Shelby County area had also become untenable. By 1783 the Dutch around Harrodsburg were in a quandary; the lands in Shelby and around Boonesborough were too dangerous and the local land had already been claimed. There was no large tract of farmland that they could afford to buy. In desperation, they sent a letter to the Continental Congress signed by 46 Dutch heads of families in Kentucky and 105 "intended friends" who were still in Conewago or New Jersey, but intended to settle in KY later. The letter reads in part: "To the Honourable President and Delegates of the Free United States of America in Congress Assembled:... "That in the Spring of the Year 1780 they moved to Kentuckey (sic) with their families and effects with a view and expectation to procure a Tract of Land to enable them to settle together in a body... "...most of all the Tillable Land has been Located and monopolised by persons that had the advantage of ...being acquainted with the country... "Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray, (in behalf of themselves and other intended settlers of that persuasion) the Honourable Congress would indulge them with a grant of a Tract or Territory of Land in Kentuckey settlement..." The Congressional reply was that it would be improper to make any western land grants. The Dutch settlers were on their own. Some Dutch at Beargrass station continued to make forays into Shelby County near Boone station and a few claimed some land. However, they were always forced back to Beargrass by Indian attacks. In 1782, Boone obtained a Virginia warrant for 12,000 acres in Shelby and Henry Counties, part of which overlapped other claims. By 1786 the other claims had been settled and a final survey was made. The land purchased from Boone together with other purchases totaled about 8500 acres with a total price of about £1835. The Dutch selected Abraham Banta as their agent to buy the property. The deal was consummated on March 13, 1786 and the Dutch immediately met at Harrodsburg to sign what they referred to as an "Article of Agreement." This document formed what was referred to as the "Low Dutch Company." This document was very significant to the Dutch colony. While it was signed by only 36 heads of families, it was generally agreed upon by all. In addition to specifying the terms and conditions of the land purchase, it also specified the social mores of the Dutch who would occupy it. It called for the building of a church and the selection of a Dutch Reformed minister. Perhaps more significantly, it called for the teaching of the Dutch language to the children and for sharing the costs relating to said minister and in purchasing and maintaining the land. It represented the true intent of the Dutch to stand apart from the surrounding Anglo community and pursue a communal life. The Dutch immediately started to move to their new tract of land. A nearby station, Ketchoms, was employed as a base from which to operate. Work had hardly begun when severe Indian attacks started in the area. Several Dutch families were killed and the situation became hopeless. They were forced to retreat yet again to the relative safe area of Harrodsburg. A few Dutch made sporadic attempts to settle in the area over the next few years, but further killings continued. It would be ten years before the Low Dutch tract could be safely settled. One might wonder why the Dutch would have tried such a perilous venture. They were unhappy living in cramped quarters in the Mercer County stations. They had no church or minister; and no land of their own. Perhaps they did not recognize the full extent of the Indian threat or put their trust in God to protect them. In any event, they were simple farmers, not experienced Indian fighters, who sought merely to live in peace and to be left alone. By around 1796, the Dutch were finally able to move into their settlement in Shelby and Henry Counties. The land was divided into mostly 200 acre tracts per family. Obviously the acreage obtained would only accommodate about 40 families. However many Dutch bought land in the surrounding area. Their tract was located at what is now Pleasantville, KY. See Figure ____. It was originally known as "Bantatown". At last they could have their Dutch Reformed Church and they did! It was called the "6 Mile" church. In 1795 the Dutch Reformed Church of New York sent a missionary to Harrodsburg to organize a church. He was Peter Labaugh and he spent several months in this endeavor. However, Kentucky was too far to send a Dutch Reformed preacher and the settlers at "6 Mile", as well as Harrodsburg had to settle for Presbyterian preachers. The Presbyterian Church was also Calvinist and hence they shared many common beliefs. Of course, the Dutch language was not used, nor were other Dutch customs. Eventually the Dutch aligned themselves with this church and the congregation at "6 Mile" was served by the Rev. Archibald Cameron for many years. The first elders of the church were Albert Voorhees, Peter Banta and George List. Shortly after 1800, there was a great religious schism sometimes referred to as the "Great Awakening." Campground meetings of 10,000 or more people occurred. A New England sect, the Shakers, sent missionaries to Kentucky. A number of Dutch, especially Bantas were converted and gave their land to join the Shakers. Elisha Thomas gave his property to the Shakers which was the start of their colony a few miles west of Harrodsburg. To join, all property had to be converted to the church and the convert's life was totally communal. Further, there was no marriage allowed and all were celibate. Perhaps some of the Dutch were attracted to this church because of their extreme communal life. Counting children and grandchildren, 36 Bantas alone were eventually buried at Shakertown (now Pleasant Hill). The "mainstream" Dutch at 6-Mile Church were not happy with these defections from their church. The numbers of Dutch converting to Shakers was probably the beginning of the end of the Low Dutch Company. By 1817, a number of Dutch families began moving to Johnson and Switzerland Counties, Indiana. The Indian threat was now gone and the land was cheap, $1.25 per acre. This movement continued for the next twenty years. The Shelby and Henry County lands had to be converted from communal ownership to private owners. The final trustees during the land conversion were George Bergen and Tunis Van Nuys and the deeds recorded in the respective Shelby and Henry Co. courthouses. Before 1840 all the Low Dutch Company land had been sold to private owners. Sadly, Henry Banta's 1780 dream of a Dutch community in Kentucky had suffered the same fate as Conewago years earlier. === ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to DUTCH-COLONIES-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Did you know that a lot of the Low Dutch went to Indiana, to Switzerland county. Francis Montfort (1825) left land in Switzerland Co. to his children. Donna ----- Original Message ----- From: "Barbara Terhune" <batcave@695online.com> To: <dutch-colonies@rootsweb.com>; <kymercer@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 10:41 AM Subject: Re: [DUTCH-COLONIES] Kentucky Migration Barbara, Donna, Judy and any others interested in this topic, Below is a copy of Chapter III in the book we are preparing, "West of the Salt", about early Dutch settlers of Mercer Co., KY . It should be noted that the two groups led by Hendrick Banta and Sam Durie had no intention of settling in Mercer Co. They had planned to settle in the vicinity of Boonesborough., about 10 miles south of present-day Lexington, KY (Fayette Co.) However, they were driven to Fort Harrod (in Mercer Co.) by desperation and necessity after devastating Indian attacks. Fort Harrod was the "Gibralter" of the frontier, heavily fortified and surrounded by a number of "stations" that served as early warning systems against Indian raiding parties. Fort Harrod was never breached. For further enlightenment on these families and their ordeal we recommend Vincent Akers' study of the Low Dutch Company, published in "De Halve Maen" Vol. LV, No. 2, Summer 1980; the Banta family history, "Banta Pioneers"; and Rev. Demarest's, "History of the Low Dutch Colony of Conewago", published in local newspapers circa 1889. Barbara and Paul Terhune Chapter III Dutch Migration into Kentucky and The Low Dutch Company Settlement As the Revolutionary War progressed during the 1770s, the Dutch settlers at Conewago and Virginia began hearing stories of the Kentucky frontier. The Transylvania Co. had spread stories of the wonders of Kentucky to induce sales of land; and Harrod's Station and Boonesborough settlements started becoming well known. The Dutch were intrigued at the idea of the availability of cheap, fertile land supposedly being in Kentucky. They started to plan for a communal settlement on a huge land purchase that would accommodate their visceral need to preserve their Dutch culture and lifestyle. To that end, they decided to send an experienced Dutchman to determine the suitability of the land for settlement. In the spring of 1779, Samuel Duree left the Virginia area in the company of a party of other men, none Dutch, and traveled down the Wilderness Trail through the Cumberland Gap to Boonesborough. Despite the constant threat of Indian attack, the men traveled in the vicinity and made land claims. The claims (i.e. "improvements" in the vernacular of the day) were several miles south of Boonesborough and a few miles east of present-day Richmond. Duree's claims were on a creek at a location he deemed suitable for a water-driven mill. The men stayed the summer at Boonesborough and returned in the fall to their home settlements in the east. Samuel Duree's report to the Conewago Dutch must have satisfied them, for they prepared for a mass migration to Kentucky the following spring. In the late winter of 1780, Duree led a group of Dutch settlers up through the Cumberland Gap to White Oak Spring station which was near Boonesborough. The number of Dutch settlers was in the order of 30 and included Dutch families of Duree, Banta and Voris. Meanwhile, Hendrick Banta led a much larger group of Dutch settlers in the winter of 1779 to Fort Pitt (now Pittsburgh). The number of Dutch is estimated to be at least 75, but many were young children. In the spring of 1780, the group departed Fort Pitt and made their way down the Ohio River on flat-boats to the falls of the Ohio, now the location of Louisville. This was the largest group of Dutch migrants to Kentucky although smaller groups would follow in later years. Again, the usual Dutch families were prominent in this group - Van Arsdall, Demaree, Voris and Banta, to name a few. The Dutch settlers at Louisville proceeded to build a "station" on rented land near an existing station. "Station" was a term of the times, describing a group of fortified cabins, perhaps enclosed in a stockade. The renting of land was common and cheap since the renter had to clear the trees and brush, hence improving the land for the landlord. This land was south of the Falls on what was then (and still is) called Beargrass Creek. These Louisville settlers elected to remain there in 1780 and raise crops with the intention being to proceed to Boonesborough the following year. A few of the settlers became impatient and left for Boonesborough with their families. That was a tragic error. Indian raiding parties were in the area near the Ohio River, particularly along travel routes. They ambushed these families, killing several and capturing others. Only a few survivors made their way back to the station at Beargrass Creek. In June 1780, Ruddle's and Martin's Forts in Kentucky were attacked and captured by British-led Indians. In retaliation, George Rogers Clark led an expedition into Ohio and destroyed a number of Indian villages and their supplies. Several of the young Dutchmen volunteered to serve in this campaign as well as in the militia defending against Indians. A few were captured by Indians and sold to the British. They eventually escaped and made their way back to Kentucky. In the spring of 1781 a group of Dutchmen from the Beargrass station traveled to White Oak Spring near Boonesborough. This group was primarily Bantas, Durees and Voris. They spent several weeks building cabins at the Samuel Duree claim, then returned to Boonesborough. A few returned to the cabins and were killed by Indians. Later that year other Dutch settlers were killed near Boonesborough and near present day Richmond. Discouraged, the settlers returned to the Beargrass station and made no further attempts to settle around Boonesborough. Later that year, many (but not all) of the Dutch families moved from the Beargrass station to Mercer Co., KY where they built the second Low Dutch Station. This station was built a few miles southeast of Harrodsburg on land rented from James Harrod and near his station. They were soon joined by the remaining Dutch from the Boonesborough area. It was clear that establishing a colony in that area was impossible. However, the Dutch were not to be dissuaded from their concept of a huge communal common tract of land. They regarded their sojourn in Mercer Co as temporary and not a single Dutchman bought land locally in those days. As time passed and more Dutch migrants arrived, some went to other stations such as the McAfee station a few miles north of Harrodsburg. Squire Boone, the brother of Daniel Boone, had established a station in what is now Shelby County in 1780. By 1781 a number of Dutch families from the Beargrass station , about 30 miles away, had joined him. Boone was wounded by Indians in the spring of 1781; and continuing Indian activity led to a decision to abandon the station and return to the Beargrass station. Although escorted by a militia from Beargrass, they were attacked and several were killed. The dead included several Demarees and a Riker. This became known as the "Long Run Massacre." Settlement in the Shelby County area had also become untenable. By 1783 the Dutch around Harrodsburg were in a quandary; the lands in Shelby and around Boonesborough were too dangerous and the local land had already been claimed. There was no large tract of farmland that they could afford to buy. In desperation, they sent a letter to the Continental Congress signed by 46 Dutch heads of families in Kentucky and 105 "intended friends" who were still in Conewago or New Jersey, but intended to settle in KY later. The letter reads in part: "To the Honourable President and Delegates of the Free United States of America in Congress Assembled:... "That in the Spring of the Year 1780 they moved to Kentuckey (sic) with their families and effects with a view and expectation to procure a Tract of Land to enable them to settle together in a body... "...most of all the Tillable Land has been Located and monopolised by persons that had the advantage of ...being acquainted with the country... "Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray, (in behalf of themselves and other intended settlers of that persuasion) the Honourable Congress would indulge them with a grant of a Tract or Territory of Land in Kentuckey settlement..." The Congressional reply was that it would be improper to make any western land grants. The Dutch settlers were on their own. Some Dutch at Beargrass station continued to make forays into Shelby County near Boone station and a few claimed some land. However, they were always forced back to Beargrass by Indian attacks. In 1782, Boone obtained a Virginia warrant for 12,000 acres in Shelby and Henry Counties, part of which overlapped other claims. By 1786 the other claims had been settled and a final survey was made. The land purchased from Boone together with other purchases totaled about 8500 acres with a total price of about £1835. The Dutch selected Abraham Banta as their agent to buy the property. The deal was consummated on March 13, 1786 and the Dutch immediately met at Harrodsburg to sign what they referred to as an "Article of Agreement." This document formed what was referred to as the "Low Dutch Company." This document was very significant to the Dutch colony. While it was signed by only 36 heads of families, it was generally agreed upon by all. In addition to specifying the terms and conditions of the land purchase, it also specified the social mores of the Dutch who would occupy it. It called for the building of a church and the selection of a Dutch Reformed minister. Perhaps more significantly, it called for the teaching of the Dutch language to the children and for sharing the costs relating to said minister and in purchasing and maintaining the land. It represented the true intent of the Dutch to stand apart from the surrounding Anglo community and pursue a communal life. The Dutch immediately started to move to their new tract of land. A nearby station, Ketchoms, was employed as a base from which to operate. Work had hardly begun when severe Indian attacks started in the area. Several Dutch families were killed and the situation became hopeless. They were forced to retreat yet again to the relative safe area of Harrodsburg. A few Dutch made sporadic attempts to settle in the area over the next few years, but further killings continued. It would be ten years before the Low Dutch tract could be safely settled. One might wonder why the Dutch would have tried such a perilous venture. They were unhappy living in cramped quarters in the Mercer County stations. They had no church or minister; and no land of their own. Perhaps they did not recognize the full extent of the Indian threat or put their trust in God to protect them. In any event, they were simple farmers, not experienced Indian fighters, who sought merely to live in peace and to be left alone. By around 1796, the Dutch were finally able to move into their settlement in Shelby and Henry Counties. The land was divided into mostly 200 acre tracts per family. Obviously the acreage obtained would only accommodate about 40 families. However many Dutch bought land in the surrounding area. Their tract was located at what is now Pleasantville, KY. See Figure ____. It was originally known as "Bantatown". At last they could have their Dutch Reformed Church and they did! It was called the "6 Mile" church. In 1795 the Dutch Reformed Church of New York sent a missionary to Harrodsburg to organize a church. He was Peter Labaugh and he spent several months in this endeavor. However, Kentucky was too far to send a Dutch Reformed preacher and the settlers at "6 Mile", as well as Harrodsburg had to settle for Presbyterian preachers. The Presbyterian Church was also Calvinist and hence they shared many common beliefs. Of course, the Dutch language was not used, nor were other Dutch customs. Eventually the Dutch aligned themselves with this church and the congregation at "6 Mile" was served by the Rev. Archibald Cameron for many years. The first elders of the church were Albert Voorhees, Peter Banta and George List. Shortly after 1800, there was a great religious schism sometimes referred to as the "Great Awakening." Campground meetings of 10,000 or more people occurred. A New England sect, the Shakers, sent missionaries to Kentucky. A number of Dutch, especially Bantas were converted and gave their land to join the Shakers. Elisha Thomas gave his property to the Shakers which was the start of their colony a few miles west of Harrodsburg. To join, all property had to be converted to the church and the convert's life was totally communal. Further, there was no marriage allowed and all were celibate. Perhaps some of the Dutch were attracted to this church because of their extreme communal life. Counting children and grandchildren, 36 Bantas alone were eventually buried at Shakertown (now Pleasant Hill). The "mainstream" Dutch at 6-Mile Church were not happy with these defections from their church. The numbers of Dutch converting to Shakers was probably the beginning of the end of the Low Dutch Company. By 1817, a number of Dutch families began moving to Johnson and Switzerland Counties, Indiana. The Indian threat was now gone and the land was cheap, $1.25 per acre. This movement continued for the next twenty years. The Shelby and Henry County lands had to be converted from communal ownership to private owners. The final trustees during the land conversion were George Bergen and Tunis Van Nuys and the deeds recorded in the respective Shelby and Henry Co. courthouses. Before 1840 all the Low Dutch Company land had been sold to private owners. Sadly, Henry Banta's 1780 dream of a Dutch community in Kentucky had suffered the same fate as Conewago years earlier. === ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to DUTCH-COLONIES-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Sorry, I did not read the complete last paragraph. Donna ----- Original Message ----- From: "Barbara Terhune" <batcave@695online.com> To: <dutch-colonies@rootsweb.com>; <kymercer@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 10:41 AM Subject: Re: [DUTCH-COLONIES] Kentucky Migration Barbara, Donna, Judy and any others interested in this topic, Below is a copy of Chapter III in the book we are preparing, "West of the Salt", about early Dutch settlers of Mercer Co., KY . It should be noted that the two groups led by Hendrick Banta and Sam Durie had no intention of settling in Mercer Co. They had planned to settle in the vicinity of Boonesborough., about 10 miles south of present-day Lexington, KY (Fayette Co.) However, they were driven to Fort Harrod (in Mercer Co.) by desperation and necessity after devastating Indian attacks. Fort Harrod was the "Gibralter" of the frontier, heavily fortified and surrounded by a number of "stations" that served as early warning systems against Indian raiding parties. Fort Harrod was never breached. For further enlightenment on these families and their ordeal we recommend Vincent Akers' study of the Low Dutch Company, published in "De Halve Maen" Vol. LV, No. 2, Summer 1980; the Banta family history, "Banta Pioneers"; and Rev. Demarest's, "History of the Low Dutch Colony of Conewago", published in local newspapers circa 1889. Barbara and Paul Terhune Chapter III Dutch Migration into Kentucky and The Low Dutch Company Settlement As the Revolutionary War progressed during the 1770s, the Dutch settlers at Conewago and Virginia began hearing stories of the Kentucky frontier. The Transylvania Co. had spread stories of the wonders of Kentucky to induce sales of land; and Harrod's Station and Boonesborough settlements started becoming well known. The Dutch were intrigued at the idea of the availability of cheap, fertile land supposedly being in Kentucky. They started to plan for a communal settlement on a huge land purchase that would accommodate their visceral need to preserve their Dutch culture and lifestyle. To that end, they decided to send an experienced Dutchman to determine the suitability of the land for settlement. In the spring of 1779, Samuel Duree left the Virginia area in the company of a party of other men, none Dutch, and traveled down the Wilderness Trail through the Cumberland Gap to Boonesborough. Despite the constant threat of Indian attack, the men traveled in the vicinity and made land claims. The claims (i.e. "improvements" in the vernacular of the day) were several miles south of Boonesborough and a few miles east of present-day Richmond. Duree's claims were on a creek at a location he deemed suitable for a water-driven mill. The men stayed the summer at Boonesborough and returned in the fall to their home settlements in the east. Samuel Duree's report to the Conewago Dutch must have satisfied them, for they prepared for a mass migration to Kentucky the following spring. In the late winter of 1780, Duree led a group of Dutch settlers up through the Cumberland Gap to White Oak Spring station which was near Boonesborough. The number of Dutch settlers was in the order of 30 and included Dutch families of Duree, Banta and Voris. Meanwhile, Hendrick Banta led a much larger group of Dutch settlers in the winter of 1779 to Fort Pitt (now Pittsburgh). The number of Dutch is estimated to be at least 75, but many were young children. In the spring of 1780, the group departed Fort Pitt and made their way down the Ohio River on flat-boats to the falls of the Ohio, now the location of Louisville. This was the largest group of Dutch migrants to Kentucky although smaller groups would follow in later years. Again, the usual Dutch families were prominent in this group - Van Arsdall, Demaree, Voris and Banta, to name a few. The Dutch settlers at Louisville proceeded to build a "station" on rented land near an existing station. "Station" was a term of the times, describing a group of fortified cabins, perhaps enclosed in a stockade. The renting of land was common and cheap since the renter had to clear the trees and brush, hence improving the land for the landlord. This land was south of the Falls on what was then (and still is) called Beargrass Creek. These Louisville settlers elected to remain there in 1780 and raise crops with the intention being to proceed to Boonesborough the following year. A few of the settlers became impatient and left for Boonesborough with their families. That was a tragic error. Indian raiding parties were in the area near the Ohio River, particularly along travel routes. They ambushed these families, killing several and capturing others. Only a few survivors made their way back to the station at Beargrass Creek. In June 1780, Ruddle's and Martin's Forts in Kentucky were attacked and captured by British-led Indians. In retaliation, George Rogers Clark led an expedition into Ohio and destroyed a number of Indian villages and their supplies. Several of the young Dutchmen volunteered to serve in this campaign as well as in the militia defending against Indians. A few were captured by Indians and sold to the British. They eventually escaped and made their way back to Kentucky. In the spring of 1781 a group of Dutchmen from the Beargrass station traveled to White Oak Spring near Boonesborough. This group was primarily Bantas, Durees and Voris. They spent several weeks building cabins at the Samuel Duree claim, then returned to Boonesborough. A few returned to the cabins and were killed by Indians. Later that year other Dutch settlers were killed near Boonesborough and near present day Richmond. Discouraged, the settlers returned to the Beargrass station and made no further attempts to settle around Boonesborough. Later that year, many (but not all) of the Dutch families moved from the Beargrass station to Mercer Co., KY where they built the second Low Dutch Station. This station was built a few miles southeast of Harrodsburg on land rented from James Harrod and near his station. They were soon joined by the remaining Dutch from the Boonesborough area. It was clear that establishing a colony in that area was impossible. However, the Dutch were not to be dissuaded from their concept of a huge communal common tract of land. They regarded their sojourn in Mercer Co as temporary and not a single Dutchman bought land locally in those days. As time passed and more Dutch migrants arrived, some went to other stations such as the McAfee station a few miles north of Harrodsburg. Squire Boone, the brother of Daniel Boone, had established a station in what is now Shelby County in 1780. By 1781 a number of Dutch families from the Beargrass station , about 30 miles away, had joined him. Boone was wounded by Indians in the spring of 1781; and continuing Indian activity led to a decision to abandon the station and return to the Beargrass station. Although escorted by a militia from Beargrass, they were attacked and several were killed. The dead included several Demarees and a Riker. This became known as the "Long Run Massacre." Settlement in the Shelby County area had also become untenable. By 1783 the Dutch around Harrodsburg were in a quandary; the lands in Shelby and around Boonesborough were too dangerous and the local land had already been claimed. There was no large tract of farmland that they could afford to buy. In desperation, they sent a letter to the Continental Congress signed by 46 Dutch heads of families in Kentucky and 105 "intended friends" who were still in Conewago or New Jersey, but intended to settle in KY later. The letter reads in part: "To the Honourable President and Delegates of the Free United States of America in Congress Assembled:... "That in the Spring of the Year 1780 they moved to Kentuckey (sic) with their families and effects with a view and expectation to procure a Tract of Land to enable them to settle together in a body... "...most of all the Tillable Land has been Located and monopolised by persons that had the advantage of ...being acquainted with the country... "Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray, (in behalf of themselves and other intended settlers of that persuasion) the Honourable Congress would indulge them with a grant of a Tract or Territory of Land in Kentuckey settlement..." The Congressional reply was that it would be improper to make any western land grants. The Dutch settlers were on their own. Some Dutch at Beargrass station continued to make forays into Shelby County near Boone station and a few claimed some land. However, they were always forced back to Beargrass by Indian attacks. In 1782, Boone obtained a Virginia warrant for 12,000 acres in Shelby and Henry Counties, part of which overlapped other claims. By 1786 the other claims had been settled and a final survey was made. The land purchased from Boone together with other purchases totaled about 8500 acres with a total price of about £1835. The Dutch selected Abraham Banta as their agent to buy the property. The deal was consummated on March 13, 1786 and the Dutch immediately met at Harrodsburg to sign what they referred to as an "Article of Agreement." This document formed what was referred to as the "Low Dutch Company." This document was very significant to the Dutch colony. While it was signed by only 36 heads of families, it was generally agreed upon by all. In addition to specifying the terms and conditions of the land purchase, it also specified the social mores of the Dutch who would occupy it. It called for the building of a church and the selection of a Dutch Reformed minister. Perhaps more significantly, it called for the teaching of the Dutch language to the children and for sharing the costs relating to said minister and in purchasing and maintaining the land. It represented the true intent of the Dutch to stand apart from the surrounding Anglo community and pursue a communal life. The Dutch immediately started to move to their new tract of land. A nearby station, Ketchoms, was employed as a base from which to operate. Work had hardly begun when severe Indian attacks started in the area. Several Dutch families were killed and the situation became hopeless. They were forced to retreat yet again to the relative safe area of Harrodsburg. A few Dutch made sporadic attempts to settle in the area over the next few years, but further killings continued. It would be ten years before the Low Dutch tract could be safely settled. One might wonder why the Dutch would have tried such a perilous venture. They were unhappy living in cramped quarters in the Mercer County stations. They had no church or minister; and no land of their own. Perhaps they did not recognize the full extent of the Indian threat or put their trust in God to protect them. In any event, they were simple farmers, not experienced Indian fighters, who sought merely to live in peace and to be left alone. By around 1796, the Dutch were finally able to move into their settlement in Shelby and Henry Counties. The land was divided into mostly 200 acre tracts per family. Obviously the acreage obtained would only accommodate about 40 families. However many Dutch bought land in the surrounding area. Their tract was located at what is now Pleasantville, KY. See Figure ____. It was originally known as "Bantatown". At last they could have their Dutch Reformed Church and they did! It was called the "6 Mile" church. In 1795 the Dutch Reformed Church of New York sent a missionary to Harrodsburg to organize a church. He was Peter Labaugh and he spent several months in this endeavor. However, Kentucky was too far to send a Dutch Reformed preacher and the settlers at "6 Mile", as well as Harrodsburg had to settle for Presbyterian preachers. The Presbyterian Church was also Calvinist and hence they shared many common beliefs. Of course, the Dutch language was not used, nor were other Dutch customs. Eventually the Dutch aligned themselves with this church and the congregation at "6 Mile" was served by the Rev. Archibald Cameron for many years. The first elders of the church were Albert Voorhees, Peter Banta and George List. Shortly after 1800, there was a great religious schism sometimes referred to as the "Great Awakening." Campground meetings of 10,000 or more people occurred. A New England sect, the Shakers, sent missionaries to Kentucky. A number of Dutch, especially Bantas were converted and gave their land to join the Shakers. Elisha Thomas gave his property to the Shakers which was the start of their colony a few miles west of Harrodsburg. To join, all property had to be converted to the church and the convert's life was totally communal. Further, there was no marriage allowed and all were celibate. Perhaps some of the Dutch were attracted to this church because of their extreme communal life. Counting children and grandchildren, 36 Bantas alone were eventually buried at Shakertown (now Pleasant Hill). The "mainstream" Dutch at 6-Mile Church were not happy with these defections from their church. The numbers of Dutch converting to Shakers was probably the beginning of the end of the Low Dutch Company. By 1817, a number of Dutch families began moving to Johnson and Switzerland Counties, Indiana. The Indian threat was now gone and the land was cheap, $1.25 per acre. This movement continued for the next twenty years. The Shelby and Henry County lands had to be converted from communal ownership to private owners. The final trustees during the land conversion were George Bergen and Tunis Van Nuys and the deeds recorded in the respective Shelby and Henry Co. courthouses. Before 1840 all the Low Dutch Company land had been sold to private owners. Sadly, Henry Banta's 1780 dream of a Dutch community in Kentucky had suffered the same fate as Conewago years earlier. === ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to DUTCH-COLONIES-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

I woul like to buy your book when it is finished. I descend out of Henry Banta 3rd's two wives. My maiden name is Van Osdol. I also descend out of Alvert Voris who married Anna Banta. My roots are deep in the Low Dutch company. My line moved to Switzerland Co. IN. I love to read about the move west. The hardships that they endured must have been extreamly hard. Thank you for posting this. Glee Van Osdol Krapf ----- Original Message ----- From: "Barbara Terhune" <batcave@695online.com> To: <dutch-colonies@rootsweb.com>; <kymercer@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 10:41 AM Subject: Re: [DUTCH-COLONIES] Kentucky Migration Barbara, Donna, Judy and any others interested in this topic, Below is a copy of Chapter III in the book we are preparing, "West of the Salt", about early Dutch settlers of Mercer Co., KY . It should be noted that the two groups led by Hendrick Banta and Sam Durie had no intention of settling in Mercer Co. They had planned to settle in the vicinity of Boonesborough., about 10 miles south of present-day Lexington, KY (Fayette Co.) However, they were driven to Fort Harrod (in Mercer Co.) by desperation and necessity after devastating Indian attacks. Fort Harrod was the "Gibralter" of the frontier, heavily fortified and surrounded by a number of "stations" that served as early warning systems against Indian raiding parties. Fort Harrod was never breached. For further enlightenment on these families and their ordeal we recommend Vincent Akers' study of the Low Dutch Company, published in "De Halve Maen" Vol. LV, No. 2, Summer 1980; the Banta family history, "Banta Pioneers"; and Rev. Demarest's, "History of the Low Dutch Colony of Conewago", published in local newspapers circa 1889. Barbara and Paul Terhune Chapter III Dutch Migration into Kentucky and The Low Dutch Company Settlement As the Revolutionary War progressed during the 1770s, the Dutch settlers at Conewago and Virginia began hearing stories of the Kentucky frontier. The Transylvania Co. had spread stories of the wonders of Kentucky to induce sales of land; and Harrod's Station and Boonesborough settlements started becoming well known. The Dutch were intrigued at the idea of the availability of cheap, fertile land supposedly being in Kentucky. They started to plan for a communal settlement on a huge land purchase that would accommodate their visceral need to preserve their Dutch culture and lifestyle. To that end, they decided to send an experienced Dutchman to determine the suitability of the land for settlement. In the spring of 1779, Samuel Duree left the Virginia area in the company of a party of other men, none Dutch, and traveled down the Wilderness Trail through the Cumberland Gap to Boonesborough. Despite the constant threat of Indian attack, the men traveled in the vicinity and made land claims. The claims (i.e. "improvements" in the vernacular of the day) were several miles south of Boonesborough and a few miles east of present-day Richmond. Duree's claims were on a creek at a location he deemed suitable for a water-driven mill. The men stayed the summer at Boonesborough and returned in the fall to their home settlements in the east. Samuel Duree's report to the Conewago Dutch must have satisfied them, for they prepared for a mass migration to Kentucky the following spring. In the late winter of 1780, Duree led a group of Dutch settlers up through the Cumberland Gap to White Oak Spring station which was near Boonesborough. The number of Dutch settlers was in the order of 30 and included Dutch families of Duree, Banta and Voris. Meanwhile, Hendrick Banta led a much larger group of Dutch settlers in the winter of 1779 to Fort Pitt (now Pittsburgh). The number of Dutch is estimated to be at least 75, but many were young children. In the spring of 1780, the group departed Fort Pitt and made their way down the Ohio River on flat-boats to the falls of the Ohio, now the location of Louisville. This was the largest group of Dutch migrants to Kentucky although smaller groups would follow in later years. Again, the usual Dutch families were prominent in this group - Van Arsdall, Demaree, Voris and Banta, to name a few. The Dutch settlers at Louisville proceeded to build a "station" on rented land near an existing station. "Station" was a term of the times, describing a group of fortified cabins, perhaps enclosed in a stockade. The renting of land was common and cheap since the renter had to clear the trees and brush, hence improving the land for the landlord. This land was south of the Falls on what was then (and still is) called Beargrass Creek. These Louisville settlers elected to remain there in 1780 and raise crops with the intention being to proceed to Boonesborough the following year. A few of the settlers became impatient and left for Boonesborough with their families. That was a tragic error. Indian raiding parties were in the area near the Ohio River, particularly along travel routes. They ambushed these families, killing several and capturing others. Only a few survivors made their way back to the station at Beargrass Creek. In June 1780, Ruddle's and Martin's Forts in Kentucky were attacked and captured by British-led Indians. In retaliation, George Rogers Clark led an expedition into Ohio and destroyed a number of Indian villages and their supplies. Several of the young Dutchmen volunteered to serve in this campaign as well as in the militia defending against Indians. A few were captured by Indians and sold to the British. They eventually escaped and made their way back to Kentucky. In the spring of 1781 a group of Dutchmen from the Beargrass station traveled to White Oak Spring near Boonesborough. This group was primarily Bantas, Durees and Voris. They spent several weeks building cabins at the Samuel Duree claim, then returned to Boonesborough. A few returned to the cabins and were killed by Indians. Later that year other Dutch settlers were killed near Boonesborough and near present day Richmond. Discouraged, the settlers returned to the Beargrass station and made no further attempts to settle around Boonesborough. Later that year, many (but not all) of the Dutch families moved from the Beargrass station to Mercer Co., KY where they built the second Low Dutch Station. This station was built a few miles southeast of Harrodsburg on land rented from James Harrod and near his station. They were soon joined by the remaining Dutch from the Boonesborough area. It was clear that establishing a colony in that area was impossible. However, the Dutch were not to be dissuaded from their concept of a huge communal common tract of land. They regarded their sojourn in Mercer Co as temporary and not a single Dutchman bought land locally in those days. As time passed and more Dutch migrants arrived, some went to other stations such as the McAfee station a few miles north of Harrodsburg. Squire Boone, the brother of Daniel Boone, had established a station in what is now Shelby County in 1780. By 1781 a number of Dutch families from the Beargrass station , about 30 miles away, had joined him. Boone was wounded by Indians in the spring of 1781; and continuing Indian activity led to a decision to abandon the station and return to the Beargrass station. Although escorted by a militia from Beargrass, they were attacked and several were killed. The dead included several Demarees and a Riker. This became known as the "Long Run Massacre." Settlement in the Shelby County area had also become untenable. By 1783 the Dutch around Harrodsburg were in a quandary; the lands in Shelby and around Boonesborough were too dangerous and the local land had already been claimed. There was no large tract of farmland that they could afford to buy. In desperation, they sent a letter to the Continental Congress signed by 46 Dutch heads of families in Kentucky and 105 "intended friends" who were still in Conewago or New Jersey, but intended to settle in KY later. The letter reads in part: "To the Honourable President and Delegates of the Free United States of America in Congress Assembled:... "That in the Spring of the Year 1780 they moved to Kentuckey (sic) with their families and effects with a view and expectation to procure a Tract of Land to enable them to settle together in a body... "...most of all the Tillable Land has been Located and monopolised by persons that had the advantage of ...being acquainted with the country... "Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray, (in behalf of themselves and other intended settlers of that persuasion) the Honourable Congress would indulge them with a grant of a Tract or Territory of Land in Kentuckey settlement..." The Congressional reply was that it would be improper to make any western land grants. The Dutch settlers were on their own. Some Dutch at Beargrass station continued to make forays into Shelby County near Boone station and a few claimed some land. However, they were always forced back to Beargrass by Indian attacks. In 1782, Boone obtained a Virginia warrant for 12,000 acres in Shelby and Henry Counties, part of which overlapped other claims. By 1786 the other claims had been settled and a final survey was made. The land purchased from Boone together with other purchases totaled about 8500 acres with a total price of about £1835. The Dutch selected Abraham Banta as their agent to buy the property. The deal was consummated on March 13, 1786 and the Dutch immediately met at Harrodsburg to sign what they referred to as an "Article of Agreement." This document formed what was referred to as the "Low Dutch Company." This document was very significant to the Dutch colony. While it was signed by only 36 heads of families, it was generally agreed upon by all. In addition to specifying the terms and conditions of the land purchase, it also specified the social mores of the Dutch who would occupy it. It called for the building of a church and the selection of a Dutch Reformed minister. Perhaps more significantly, it called for the teaching of the Dutch language to the children and for sharing the costs relating to said minister and in purchasing and maintaining the land. It represented the true intent of the Dutch to stand apart from the surrounding Anglo community and pursue a communal life. The Dutch immediately started to move to their new tract of land. A nearby station, Ketchoms, was employed as a base from which to operate. Work had hardly begun when severe Indian attacks started in the area. Several Dutch families were killed and the situation became hopeless. They were forced to retreat yet again to the relative safe area of Harrodsburg. A few Dutch made sporadic attempts to settle in the area over the next few years, but further killings continued. It would be ten years before the Low Dutch tract could be safely settled. One might wonder why the Dutch would have tried such a perilous venture. They were unhappy living in cramped quarters in the Mercer County stations. They had no church or minister; and no land of their own. Perhaps they did not recognize the full extent of the Indian threat or put their trust in God to protect them. In any event, they were simple farmers, not experienced Indian fighters, who sought merely to live in peace and to be left alone. By around 1796, the Dutch were finally able to move into their settlement in Shelby and Henry Counties. The land was divided into mostly 200 acre tracts per family. Obviously the acreage obtained would only accommodate about 40 families. However many Dutch bought land in the surrounding area. Their tract was located at what is now Pleasantville, KY. See Figure ____. It was originally known as "Bantatown". At last they could have their Dutch Reformed Church and they did! It was called the "6 Mile" church. In 1795 the Dutch Reformed Church of New York sent a missionary to Harrodsburg to organize a church. He was Peter Labaugh and he spent several months in this endeavor. However, Kentucky was too far to send a Dutch Reformed preacher and the settlers at "6 Mile", as well as Harrodsburg had to settle for Presbyterian preachers. The Presbyterian Church was also Calvinist and hence they shared many common beliefs. Of course, the Dutch language was not used, nor were other Dutch customs. Eventually the Dutch aligned themselves with this church and the congregation at "6 Mile" was served by the Rev. Archibald Cameron for many years. The first elders of the church were Albert Voorhees, Peter Banta and George List. Shortly after 1800, there was a great religious schism sometimes referred to as the "Great Awakening." Campground meetings of 10,000 or more people occurred. A New England sect, the Shakers, sent missionaries to Kentucky. A number of Dutch, especially Bantas were converted and gave their land to join the Shakers. Elisha Thomas gave his property to the Shakers which was the start of their colony a few miles west of Harrodsburg. To join, all property had to be converted to the church and the convert's life was totally communal. Further, there was no marriage allowed and all were celibate. Perhaps some of the Dutch were attracted to this church because of their extreme communal life. Counting children and grandchildren, 36 Bantas alone were eventually buried at Shakertown (now Pleasant Hill). The "mainstream" Dutch at 6-Mile Church were not happy with these defections from their church. The numbers of Dutch converting to Shakers was probably the beginning of the end of the Low Dutch Company. By 1817, a number of Dutch families began moving to Johnson and Switzerland Counties, Indiana. The Indian threat was now gone and the land was cheap, $1.25 per acre. This movement continued for the next twenty years. The Shelby and Henry County lands had to be converted from communal ownership to private owners. The final trustees during the land conversion were George Bergen and Tunis Van Nuys and the deeds recorded in the respective Shelby and Henry Co. courthouses. Before 1840 all the Low Dutch Company land had been sold to private owners. Sadly, Henry Banta's 1780 dream of a Dutch community in Kentucky had suffered the same fate as Conewago years earlier. === ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to DUTCH-COLONIES-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Hi I hope you will send me a notice when WEST OF THE SALT is on the market! Will it be ready for the autograph party at Dutch Cousns Gathering in Shelbyville on September 28? Hugs, Carolyn Remember you have a friend in Oklahoma -- endlessly sorting out dead relatives! Researching COZINE in Kentucky, Kansas, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Nieuw Amsterdam (New York) and the Netherlands. Mark your calendars to attend the Dutch Cousins gathering in Shelbyville, KY on September 28-30, 2007 On May 15, 2007, at 9:41 AM, Barbara Terhune wrote: > Barbara, Donna, Judy and any others interested in this topic, > > Below is a copy of Chapter III in the book we are preparing, "West of > the Salt", about early Dutch settlers of Mercer Co., KY . > It should be noted that the two groups led by Hendrick Banta and Sam > Durie had no intention of settling in Mercer Co. They > had planned to settle in the vicinity of Boonesborough., about 10 > miles > south of present-day Lexington, KY (Fayette Co.) > > ----------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to DUTCH- > COLONIES-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without > the quotes in the subject and the body of the message