Person:Richard Henderson (1)

... His parents were poor and unable to give him an education, and he could neither read nor write until he was grown to manhood, but served as constable and under sheriff. In 1762 he went to North Carolina, where he studied law, was admitted to the bar, and in 1769 was made an associate judge of the superior court. In 1770 public feeling ran high on account of the excessive taxation enforced under Gov. Tryon, and a mob assailed him in the court room and forced him from the bench. After the revolutionary war, and when order was restored, Henderson was reelected judge, but would not qualify, having formed the Transylvania Land Company, for the purpose of acquiring large tracts of the public domain. In effecting this purpose he negotiated "the Watoga Treaty" with the chiefs of the Cherokee Indians, by which the company came into possession of all the lands lying between the Cumberland river, the Cumberland mountains, and the Kentucky river - a territory larger than the present state of Kentucky - and was named Transylvania, with Boonesborough as its capital. Among the members of the company were Daniel Boone, Richard Calloway, John Floyd, James Harrod and Thomas Slaughter, and they formed a most comprehensive and equitable system of government. However, Henderson's purchase was subsequently annulled by Virginia, as an infringement of her chartered rights; but, to compensate the settlers, the legislature granted to them a tract twelve miles square on the Ohio River, below the mouth of Greene River. In 1779 Judge Henderson and four others were appointed commissioners to run the boundary line between Virginia and North Carolina, into Powell's valley. He now removed to Tennessee, and engaged in law practice in Nashville. In 1780 he returned to North Carolina, and settled down upon his farm, He died in Hillsborough, North Carolina, January 30, 1785. A son, Archibald, became a distinquished lawyer in North Carolina, and a member of Congress from that state. Another son, Leonard, became chief justice of North Carolina. ...

[states he died at his home on Nut Brush Creek in Granville, NC]

... Richard, born April 20, 1735; ...

"Divine Elm"
Marker Number 1582
County Madison
Location Ft. Boonesborough State Park near camping area, Richmond
Description Near this site, close to the walls of the fort, stood the "Divine Elm," a majestic tree, under whose boughs 100 persons could be seated. The old tree served as both council chamber and church in the development of this state. On May 23, 1775, it was site of the first legislative session held in Kentucky, presided over by Colonel Richard Henderson.

(Reverse) "Divine Elm" - Here, May 28, 1775, the first official Christian worship service in Kentucky was conducted by the Reverend John Lyth, representing the Church of England. To replace the original which fell in 1828, this elm tree was planted by the Boone Family Assn. on Sept. 2, 1927, near site of the "Divine Elm." At its roots was placed earth from thirty-seven historic American shrines.

"Sycamore Hollow"
Marker Number 1579
County Madison
Location Ft. Boonesborough State Park near picnic shelter, Richmond
Description The area surrounding this marker was known as "Sycamore Hollow." Daniel Boone and his small group came here ca. April 1, 1775, and began construction of rough log huts. When Col. Richard Henderson arrived on April 20, 1775, fear of flooding caused him to have the location of the fort moved 300 yards to higher ground. Presented by Society of Boonesborough.

(Reverse) "Sycamore Hollow" This hollow became the center of activity for Boonesborough. Located here were several sulphur and fresh water springs. Area around stream was known as the Salt Lick, where animals came for water and salt. This marks site of last giant sycamore tree, removed in 1932. Four or five men could stand in its shell. Presented by Society of Boonesborough.