Person:John Benton (26)

John and Titus Benton Killed By Indians at Rye Cove

Emory L. Hamilton wrote an article entitled "John and Titus Benton Killed in Rye Cove", detailing their killing by Indians in 1777.

Records of John Benton in Augusta County, VA

From Chalkley’s Augusta County Records:

• • McKenney vs. Preston--O. S. 308; N. S. 110--John Montgomery of Russel County, aged 47 years, deposes, 11th March, 1811, in 1778 Andrew Cowan and Thos. Osborn went down to improve a piece of land on a creek they called Black Water at the Flat Lick, and on their return they came by Kooser's (Hoovers) cabin. Black Water is a north Branch of Clynch. John and Titus Benton were killed by the Indians 34 or 35 years ago. March, 1811, Alexander Montgomery, aged 49 years, deposes. March, 1811, William Roberts, aged 46, deposes, he had been in this country about 26 years. Thomas Wallen, an old settler. John Hooser's improvement. March, 1811, Thomas Rodgers, aged 46, John Wallen has known this country nearly 50 years. Thos. has been in this country about 12 years, but was living here 35 or 36 years ago when they were driven off by Indians. March, 1811, James Rogers, aged 41, deposes. March, 1811, Jacob Roller, aged 44, deposes. March, 1814, John Hooser, aged 67, deposes, came with his father Felty and brother Abraham to this country 37 years ago. John has a brother Jacob who was never out in this country. March, 1811, Elisha Wallen, aged 27, deposes. Caveat, 12th August, 1799, by John Mackenny and Elisha Adams against John Donnell, assignee of Andrew Cowan and John Campbell, Jr., for 400 acres in Lee County on North Fork Clinch. Donnell and Campbell were granted a certificate by the Commissioners 8th August, 1781. Caveators claim under an entry made by James Dugless, 1780, and sold by him to John Balfour, who has sold to caveators. Thos. Beelor was an early settler on the land. 29th May, 1811, Charles Carter deposes, in Lee County, remembers that Titus and John Benton were killed by Indians in Rye Cove in spring of 1777. He remembers the family Hooser or Van Hooser, as they were called, who settled on North Fork of Clinch near Flat Lick in 1775. The oldest Van Hooser (deponent understood from his father) made the upper improvement, and the old man's son John was the next oldest man and made an improvement near the old man. Deponent remembers two other members of the family, Abram and Isaac. Deponent lived with his father in the Rye Cove at the time those improvements were made. Never heard of Jacob Hooser. Deponent's statement is founded on hearsay. 14th May, 1814, James Dugless deposes, at dwelling house of John Smith in Madison County, Ohio, shortly after 1780 deponent moved from Washington County, Va., to Kentucky. 26th February, 1812, Doswell Rogers deposes, in Lee County, he settled on North Fork Clinch the same year that the Hoosers settled. The settlement was broken up by Indians for several years. The Wallens, Bentons, Wm. Roberts and others named these streams as they went through hunting lands. The Bentons were killed 35 or 36 years ago in April next. 29th May, 1811, Peter Fulkerson deposes, in Lee County, the country was unsettled and dangerous in 1785 on account of Indians. Deed, 30th May, 1803, by William McCutchen of Carter County, Tenn., John McKinny of Lee County, land in Lee County. Corner Nathaniel Taylors, 16,000 acres survey. Corner George Goff, 200 acres bought from Nathaniel Taylor. Recorded in Lee County, August, 1803. Deed, 31st May, 1803, by Nathaniel Taylor of Carter County, Tenn., to John McKinney of Lee County, 150 acres in Lee County. Recorded in Lee County, August, 1803. Deed, 22d May, 1803, by Wm. McCutchen of Carter County, Tenn., to George Goff of Lee County, 75 acres in Lee County. Corner John Jonson's survey of 16,000 acres. Recorded in Lee, 1803. Survey, 12th April, 1795, for Nathan Field, 9,220 acres in Lee County on Clinch River, 11th March, 1811. Elisha Wallen, aged 27, of Lee County, deposes, 11th March, 1811, Samuel Gullrie, aged 36, deposes, 11th March, 1811, Wm. Wallin, aged 50, deposes, knew the land in 1778, names of Hoosers (Hoovers) were Felty, Jacob, John. Bill Blevins made an improvement about 16 years ago, fenced with poles and planted with peach stones and apple scions. John and Titus Benton were killed about 32 years ago, their mother gave deponent John's shot bag. 11th March, 1811, Stephen Wallen, aged 54, knew the land in 1775, then Flat Lick Branch was called Lick Branch. About 1775 the North Fork of Clinch was called Stims (Slim's) Creek. The Benton's were killed 31 or 32 or 33 years ago. John was on the Cherokee expedition and helped to bring up the great guns from the nation to the Long Island after the expedition, said to be commanded by Col. Christian, returned deponent hunted with him on Clynch after his return, and it was 2 or 3 years after the expedition that he was killed, 11th March, 1811, Joseph Wallen, aged 35, deposes. 1821, Patrick Kane deposes in Scott. 1821, Saml. Robinet deposes in Scott. 1821, George Graham deposes in Scott. 1821, William Lewis deposes in Scott. 1821, Robert Spears deposes in Scott. 1821, Thomas Sloane deposes in Scott. 1821, Jacob Roller deposes in Scott. 1821, John Carter deposes, in Scott, 47 years old, raised in neighborhood. 1821, Dale Carter deposes in Scott. 1821, Richard Hale deposes in Scott. 1821, James Bowles deposes in Scott. 1821, Daniel Ash deposes in Scott. 1821, David Neely deposes in Scott. 1821, Thos. Bishop deposes, in Scott, married Walling's daughter. 1821, Elisha Adams deposes in Scott. 1821, Casper Roller deposes in Scott. Bill filed 20th November, 1805, by John Donnell and Robert Preston about 1774 or 5. Andrew Cowan came to the western country and settled in now Russell County, when danger from Indians was great. Obtained in 1781 certificate in right of settlement. Surrounding lands were taken up before 1781 and Cowan laid his certificate at the Big Bottom, on North Fork of Clinch, and received a certificate. Cowan sold to orator John Donnell, who sold half to John Campbell, who sold to orator Robert. James Douglas made an entry on the same land and sold to John Belfour, who conveyed to John McKinney, 1799. 8th June, 1811, Jacob Hoozer deposes, aged 64, at house of Roger Oats in Wayne County, Ky., about 1775 or 6 his father, his brothers, John and Abraham Hoozer, went to North Fork of Clinch to improve land and all made improvements except himself. Deponent was not there until about 15 years after, was administrator of his father then. Abraham was about 18 or 19 years old. 8th June, 1811, Charles Cocke deposes, time and place above, aged 60. 12th March, 1811, Isaac Fulkerson, aged 34, deposes in Lee County. Deed, 16th February, 1802, by John Balfour and wife Sarah of Washington County to John McKinney of Lee County, 500 acres on North Fork of Clinch in Lee County, patented to John, 1st November, 1800. Recorded in Lee, 12th May, 1802. John Belfour died 1811, leaving widow Sarah, children, viz: Milly, Andrew, Isabella, and Charles Cummings Belfour.