TIP #488 - JOHN BRECKINRIDGE Breckinridge County was formed in 1799 and was named for the Honorable John Breckinridge. The county seat is Hardinsburg, named for in honor of Captain William Hardin who was a distinguished Indian fighter. This town dated back to 1782 Captain Hardin was said by historian Lewis Collins to be "a man of dauntless courage and resolution - cool, calm, and self-possessed in the midst of most appalling dangers, and perfectly skilled in all the wiles and arts of border warfare." The following stories are found in Collins History of Kentucky, pp. 213- and are abstracted here. Captain Hardin erected a station in now Breckinridge County and he soon learned that the Indians were building a town on Saline Creek in IL. He considered this too close to his settlement and determined to dislodge them. He picked out 80 men whom he considered to be the hardiest and boldest and they experienced a life of "perilous adventure." When this band of men reached the vicinity of the lick, they saw Indian signs. They approached the town cautiously and soon found there were only three warriors present, left behind to guard the town. Two of these warriors were killed by his men while the third tried to make his escape; he was shot as he ran. However, he sprang to his feet and ran another 50 yards or so before dying. Hardin then picked out a spot which they could lie in wait; difficult in that there were but few trees and much prairie land.. He left a scout who was to signal them upon the return of the other warriors when they came within 25 feet. Soon after, the small band of men took their positions and saw the Indians rapidly approaching them. One of Hardin's men became excited and started shooting when the Indians were still 100 yards or so away. The Indians charged and a heavy fight ensued. The first shot towards Hardin's men resulted in his being shot in the thigh. Instead of surrendering, he sat down on a log and during the whole battle gave his men instructions. The battle was won but many of his men were killed or seriously injured. Collins noted that this battle was never reported to the government. I have not found any detailed lists of settlers who were at Hardin's station; Collins instead turns his attention to John Breckinridge. He was born in Augusta Co VA, the son of Colonel Robert Breckinridge, 21 Dec 1760. His paternal ancestors were called "Scotch Irish"; they were Presbyterians from the north of Ireland, but originally from Scotland. John Breckinridge'' paternal and maternal grandfathers are buried in the grave yard of the Tinkling Springs congregation in the county of Augusta. His mother was Lettice Preston, the oldest child of John Preston and Elizabeth Patton and was his father's second wife. General James Breckinridge of Virginia was his younger and full brothers; General Robert Breckinridge of Kentucky was a half-brother. When very young, John went with his family to the Fincastle in Bottetourt County VA; here his father died when John was about 11 years old. His mother was left to raise seven children. He attended the college of William and Mary in Virginia; was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses. He married, in 1785, Mary Hopkins Cabell, daughter of Colonel Joseph Cabell, of Buckingham Co VA and settled in Albemarle Co where he practiced law. In the spring of 1793, he moved to Kentucky and settled near Lexington. He resided here until his death on 14 Dec 1806, at age 46. (c) Copyright 29 Apr 2004, Sandra K.Gorin. Colonel Sandi Gorin SCKY Links: http://www.public.asu.edu/~moore/Gorin.html SCKY surname registry sites: http://www.rootsweb.com/~kyclinto/reg.html http://www.rootsweb.com/~kyclinto/forms/SCKYreg.html Gorin Publishing: http://ggpublishing.tripod.com/