John Hardin
Encyclopedia
John J. Hardin was a soldier, farmer, rancher, noted marksman and hunter. He was wounded fighting in Lord Dunmore's War; served as a Continental Army
officer in the American Revolutionary War and as a Kentucky Co., Virginia militia
commander in the Northwest Indian War. He was a member of the Methodist church and one of the first judges in the original Washington County, Virginia (later to become Washington County, KY). John Hardin was killed in an ambush while acting as a peace emissary (under the direction of the President
, George Washington
) to the Shawnee Indian
people.
(in an area that is now Fauquier County
), John Hardin was the first son and fifth child of Martin Hardin (1716–1778), an owner of an "ordinary"
(or roadhouse/bar) who was a member of the Virginia militia, and Lydia [nee Waters] Hardin (1721–1800). John Hardin married Jane Daviess, and together they had seven children, with future Kentucky
senator, Martin D. Hardin
, their youngest.
, Hardin was asked in 1774 to join Capt. Zack Moran's troop, mustering in as an ensign
, fighting Indians
in Lord Dunmore's War
. Hardin's exploits in this war led to him becoming popularly known on the frontier by the sobriquet, "The Indian Killer". It was in a battle that same year, while firing on an adversary, that Hardin received a ball
to the groin. He carried that bullet in him for life.
, John Hardin was a 2nd Lieutenant
in the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment
, better known as "The Provisional Rifle Corps" (or Morgan's Rifles), and fought at Saratoga, while serving directly under Colonel
Morgan
.
), where they farmed and raised stock. They also joined the Methodist church in that area. Hardin had some success as a rancher, continually adding acreage to his original tract.
village near present day Vincennes, Indiana
which, unfortunately, belonged to a friendly tribe that had been colonial American
allies. In August 1789, he led another militia expedition to the Terre Haute, Indiana
area where he attacked a Shawnee village and returned to Kentucky with twelve scalps
.
Hardin was promoted to colonel and repeatedly engaged Indians during the Northwest Indian War
in the Ohio Territory. In 1790, he led a detachment of the Kentucky County, Virginia
militia on the disastrous Battle of Heller's Corner (also known as Hardin's Defeat). Their rout began a long succession of American losses to Miami chief
, Little Turtle. In 1791, Hardin led a force of 60 Kentucky mounted militia in the destruction of a large Kickapoo village near the mouth of the Big Pine Creek
, as part of General Charles Scott's
campaign to destroy Ouiatenon
.
, John Hardin met with a party of the Shawnee, who offered to escort him to their village. Instead, they attacked him and murdered him as he slept. Also killed was a servant of Hardin's, identified simply by his last name, Trueman. Another of the party, a guide named John Flinn - who had lived among the Indians after being captured by them as a boy - survived, later settling in Miami County, Ohio
.
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
officer in the American Revolutionary War and as a Kentucky Co., Virginia militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
commander in the Northwest Indian War. He was a member of the Methodist church and one of the first judges in the original Washington County, Virginia (later to become Washington County, KY). John Hardin was killed in an ambush while acting as a peace emissary (under the direction of the President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
, George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
) to the Shawnee Indian
Shawnee
The Shawnee, Shaawanwaki, Shaawanooki and Shaawanowi lenaweeki, are an Algonquian-speaking people native to North America. Historically they inhabited the areas of Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Western Maryland, Kentucky, Indiana, and Pennsylvania...
people.
Early life
Born in Prince William County, VirginiaPrince William County, Virginia
-National protected areas:* Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge* Manassas National Battlefield Park* Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge* Prince William Forest Park-Government and politics:...
(in an area that is now Fauquier County
Fauquier County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 55,139 people, 19,842 households, and 15,139 families residing in the county. The population density was 85 people per square mile . There were 21,046 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile...
), John Hardin was the first son and fifth child of Martin Hardin (1716–1778), an owner of an "ordinary"
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
(or roadhouse/bar) who was a member of the Virginia militia, and Lydia [nee Waters] Hardin (1721–1800). John Hardin married Jane Daviess, and together they had seven children, with future Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
senator, Martin D. Hardin
Martin D. Hardin
Martin Davis Hardin was a United States Senator from Kentucky.-Biography:Born along the Monongahela River in western Pennsylvania, Hardin moved with his parents to Kentucky in 1786. He pursued an academic course, and attended Transylvania Seminary in Lexington, Kentucky...
, their youngest.
Lord Dunmore's War
Due in part to his reputation as a marksmanMarksman
A marksman is a person who is skilled in precision, or a sharpshooter shooting, using projectile weapons, such as with a rifle but most commonly with a sniper rifle, to shoot at long range targets...
, Hardin was asked in 1774 to join Capt. Zack Moran's troop, mustering in as an ensign
Ensign (rank)
Ensign is a junior rank of a commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries, normally in the infantry or navy. As the junior officer in an infantry regiment was traditionally the carrier of the ensign flag, the rank itself acquired the name....
, fighting Indians
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
in Lord Dunmore's War
Dunmore's War
Dunmore's War was a war in 1774 between the Colony of Virginia and the Shawnee and Mingo American Indian nations....
. Hardin's exploits in this war led to him becoming popularly known on the frontier by the sobriquet, "The Indian Killer". It was in a battle that same year, while firing on an adversary, that Hardin received a ball
Projectile
A projectile is any object projected into space by the exertion of a force. Although a thrown baseball is technically a projectile too, the term more commonly refers to a weapon....
to the groin. He carried that bullet in him for life.
Revolutionary War
In the War of IndependenceAmerican Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, John Hardin was a 2nd Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
in the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment
8th Pennsylvania Regiment
The 8th Pennsylvania Regiment was authorized by the Continental Congress on 11 July 1776 as part of the Continental Army for frontier defense in the Northern Department during the American Revolutionary War...
, better known as "The Provisional Rifle Corps" (or Morgan's Rifles), and fought at Saratoga, while serving directly under Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Morgan
Daniel Morgan
Daniel Morgan was an American pioneer, soldier, and United States Representative from Virginia. One of the most gifted battlefield tacticians of the American Revolutionary War, he later commanded troops during the suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion.-Early years:Most authorities believe that...
.
Later life
In 1786, the Hardin family settled on a large parcel of land in Washington County, Virginia (now Washington County, KentuckyWashington County, Kentucky
Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 10,916. Its county seat is Springfield. The county is named for George Washington. Washington County was the first county formed in the Commonwealth of Kentucky when it reached statehood...
), where they farmed and raised stock. They also joined the Methodist church in that area. Hardin had some success as a rancher, continually adding acreage to his original tract.
Later militia service
As a militia captain in 1786, John Hardin led a successful attack on a PiankeshawPiankeshaw
The Piankeshaw Indians were Native Americans, and members of the Miami Indians who lived apart from the rest of the Miami nation. They lived in an area that now includes western Indiana and Ohio, and were closely allied with the Wea Indians...
village near present day Vincennes, Indiana
Vincennes, Indiana
Vincennes is a city in and the county seat of Knox County, Indiana, United States. It is located on the Wabash River in the southwestern part of the state. The population was 18,701 at the 2000 census...
which, unfortunately, belonged to a friendly tribe that had been colonial American
Thirteen Colonies
The Thirteen Colonies were English and later British colonies established on the Atlantic coast of North America between 1607 and 1733. They declared their independence in the American Revolution and formed the United States of America...
allies. In August 1789, he led another militia expedition to the Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute is a city and the county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States, near the state's western border with Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 60,785 and its metropolitan area had a population of 170,943. The city is the county seat of Vigo County and...
area where he attacked a Shawnee village and returned to Kentucky with twelve scalps
Scalping
Scalping is the act of removing another person's scalp or a portion of their scalp, either from a dead body or from a living person. The initial purpose of scalping was to provide a trophy of battle or portable proof of a combatant's prowess in war...
.
Hardin was promoted to colonel and repeatedly engaged Indians during the Northwest Indian War
Northwest Indian War
The Northwest Indian War , also known as Little Turtle's War and by various other names, was a war fought between the United States and a confederation of numerous American Indian tribes for control of the Northwest Territory...
in the Ohio Territory. In 1790, he led a detachment of the Kentucky County, Virginia
Kentucky County, Virginia
Kentucky County was formed by the Commonwealth of Virginia by dividing Fincastle County into three new counties: Kentucky, Washington, and Montgomery, effective December 31, 1776. Four years later Kentucky County was abolished on June 30, 1780, when it was divided into Fayette, Jefferson, and...
militia on the disastrous Battle of Heller's Corner (also known as Hardin's Defeat). Their rout began a long succession of American losses to Miami chief
Tribal chief
A tribal chief is the leader of a tribal society or chiefdom. Tribal societies with social stratification under a single leader emerged in the Neolithic period out of earlier tribal structures with little stratification, and they remained prevalent throughout the Iron Age.In the case of ...
, Little Turtle. In 1791, Hardin led a force of 60 Kentucky mounted militia in the destruction of a large Kickapoo village near the mouth of the Big Pine Creek
Big Pine Creek (Indiana)
Big Pine Creek is a creek in northwestern Indiana, USA. It begins in Round Grove Township in southwestern White County and flows generally southward through Benton and Warren counties before meeting the Wabash River near the town of Attica...
, as part of General Charles Scott's
Charles Scott (governor of Kentucky)
Charles Scott was an American soldier and politician who served as the fourth Governor of Kentucky from 1808 to 1812. Orphaned at an early age, Scott served under Edward Braddock and George Washington in the French and Indian War...
campaign to destroy Ouiatenon
Ouiatenon
Ouiatenon is a name that refers to a dwelling place of members of the Wea tribe of Native Americans. The name Ouiatenon, also variously given as Ouiatanon, Oujatanon, Ouiatano or other similar forms, is a French rendering of a term from the Wea dialect of the Miami-Illinois language which means...
.
Final service
In April 1792, President George Washington sent word to Hardin asking him to negotiate a peace with the Shawnee. Soon thereafter, in the area that is now Shelby County, OhioShelby County, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 47,910 people, 17,636 households, and 13,085 families residing in the county. The population density was 117 people per square mile . There were 18,682 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile...
, John Hardin met with a party of the Shawnee, who offered to escort him to their village. Instead, they attacked him and murdered him as he slept. Also killed was a servant of Hardin's, identified simply by his last name, Trueman. Another of the party, a guide named John Flinn - who had lived among the Indians after being captured by them as a boy - survived, later settling in Miami County, Ohio
Miami County, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 98,868 people, 38,437 households, and 27,943 families residing in the county. The population density was 243 people per square mile . There were 40,554 housing units at an average density of 100 per square mile...
.
Namesake places
- Hardin County, Illinois.
- Hardin County, KentuckyHardin County, KentuckyAs of the census of 2000, there were 94,174 people, 34,497 households, and 25,355 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 37,673 housing units at an average density of...
. - Hardin County, OhioHardin County, OhioHardin County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 32,058. Its county seat is Kenton and is named for John Hardin, an officer in the American Revolution.-Geography:According to the U.S...
. - Town of Hardin in Shelby County, OhioShelby County, OhioAs of the census of 2000, there were 47,910 people, 17,636 households, and 13,085 families residing in the county. The population density was 117 people per square mile . There were 18,682 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile...
. It is alleged that the site of the town (located in Turtle Creek TownshipTurtle Creek Township, Shelby County, OhioTurtle Creek Township is one of the fourteen townships of Shelby County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 1,583 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the central part of the county, it borders the following townships:...
on Sections 29; 30; 31; 32) stands in the very section where Colonel John Hardin was killed. - John Hardin High SchoolJohn Hardin High SchoolJohn Hardin High School is a school located in Radcliff, Kentucky but served by the post office of neighboring Elizabethtown. Established in 2001, the school is named after the Revolutionary War officer and Indian fighter, John Hardin.-Education system:...
in Radcliff, KentuckyRadcliff, KentuckyRadcliff is a city in Hardin County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 21,961 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Elizabethtown, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area....
(Hardin County, Kentucky). Opened in 2001.
Relations
- Father of Congressman Martin D. HardinMartin D. HardinMartin Davis Hardin was a United States Senator from Kentucky.-Biography:Born along the Monongahela River in western Pennsylvania, Hardin moved with his parents to Kentucky in 1786. He pursued an academic course, and attended Transylvania Seminary in Lexington, Kentucky...
. Martin married Ann Logan, daughter of GeneralGeneralA general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Benjamin LoganBenjamin LoganBenjamin Logan was an American pioneer, soldier, and politician from Shelby County, Kentucky. As colonel of the Kentucky County militia of Virginia during the American Revolutionary War, he was second-in-command of militia in Kentucky. Logan was a leader in Kentucky's efforts to become a state...
. - Grandfather of Congressman John J. HardinJohn J. HardinJohn J. Hardin was a U.S. Representative and militia general from Illinois.Born in Frankfort, Kentucky, Hardin pursued classical studies and was graduated from Transylvania University, Lexington, Kentucky, where he studied law. He was admitted to the bar in Kentucky in 1831 and commenced practice...
-killed at the Battle of Buena VistaBattle of Buena VistaThe Battle of Buena Vista , also known as the Battle of Angostura, saw the United States Army use artillery to repulse the much larger Mexican army in the Mexican-American War...
, Mexico. - Uncle of Congressman, Benjamin HardinBenjamin HardinBenjamin Hardin was a United States Representative from Kentucky. Martin Davis Hardin was his cousin. He was born at the Georges Creek settlement on the Monongahela River, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania and then moved with his parents to Washington County, Kentucky in 1788...
. - Hardin's second oldest son, Mark, married Mary Adair, daughter of Kentucky governorGovernor (United States)In the United States, the title governor refers to the chief executive of each state or insular territory, not directly subordinate to the federal authorities, but the political and ceremonial head of the state.-Role and powers:...
, John AdairJohn AdairJohn Adair was an American pioneer, soldier and statesman. He was the eighth Governor of Kentucky and represented the state in both the U.S. House and Senate. Adair enlisted in the state militia and served in the Revolutionary War, where he was held captive by the British for a period of time...
.