| Notes |
- The following is taken from an interview with George Yokum, a grandson of
Matthias Yoakum. Note: Matthias was son of another George Yocum.
GEROGE YOKUM INTERVIEW
(from the Draper Papers, circa 1843)
George Yocum. On the state road to Prestonsburg, 3 1/2 miles from
Jeffersonville, KY. Methodist, born, Dec.3, 1763.
"I think mamma said at Harnessi Fort or close by." My father was married on
Dan River, N.C.
My grandfther, Matthias Yocum, Michael Harness, and George Stump, were the
first three men that ever brought waggons down to the south Branch. They came
by way of Winchester; then up Big-Capon; Lost River, and to the mountain.
Crossing over the monuntain, they came to the south fork of the South Branch.
Grandfather Yocum settled about a half a mile from the mouth of the South
Fork.
Michael Harness moved down on to the main South Branch, 4 miles above the
fork, or where now Morrefield is. Had a station there. Jac. Pettit, the
cunninghams, and the Sees were there. Michael Haress went down from his
fathers to Vanmetreis Fort, and was shot on the road as he was rifing home.
The Cunninghams afterwards lived above the harnessi on the South Branch. What
was called Buttermilk Station, was in a flat of land, at ...... the
conjunction of the south-fork and South Branch. The Coffmans, Hornbacks, and
Cutwrights were there. Buttermilk Station had plenty of cattle there.
Captain Charles Lynch (one of three brothers that came from Ireland), had a
for 1/2 mile from the fork, or where Morrefield now is. We spent one summer
there.
They had a powerful Battle in what was called the Trough of the South-Branch.
From where the upper part of the South Branch ran into the mountain, to where
it came again into fertile land, was six or seven miles. the mouth of this
Trough (on the upper side), was just opposite to Colonel Vanmeteis Fort; where
one Waggoner commanded at this time.
Thirdy-six men had collected and started from Lynchis Fort. At the falls of
the South-Fork, right were one Morre lives, brother to my Lord Moore, they
parted. Eighteen continued on up the south-fork. The other eighteen turned,
went back, and came on down to the Trough. As they came, they saw the fires
of thirty-six Indians cooking at the mouth of the Trough. The Indians ran to
the bushes and the eighteen went right up to the fires when the Indians
opened on them. The Battle lasted all day and their guns got right hot in the
fight. It was about a mile from the Battle-ground to the fort, across a
bottom when the men at last found that they would send them no help althought
in sight. they threw their guns into the River, swam over, and ran through
the plantations. When they got to the fort, Waggoner wouldnit open the gates.
They had to run up to Lynchis Fort and Buttermilk Fort (about two miles above
ours. They called this part of the South Branch, Holland. Most of the people
were Low Dutch, from Holland.)
George and Leonard Reid, brothers, were killed and Dick Burns, Captain
Parsons, and John Harness (son of M.Harness) were wounded. Waggoner
afterwards sent for some of the men to come to the fort, and when he got them
there he had them whipped for calling him a coward.
Captain Job Welton and one or two Delays were killed on Looneyis Creek, 10 or
15 miles from Moorefield. Four of them, who had gone out to put up hay, staid
all night in the meadows, sleeping in the hay. Just before day they were
fallen on and killed by about fourteen indains.
Lord Fairfax did not leave this country, in the time of the Revolution, and
therefore did not forfeit his estates. south Branch belonged to my Lord
Fairfax and was never confiscated. He sold for minethy-nine years, but the
people bought out the interest from his heirs.
(note: "He sold for 99 years" .... this is a sufdom lease and those that took
the lease later purchased the property form his heirs)
A company was made up by Colonel Neville, Colonel Abrahm Hite (who died at
Bear Grass) and old Major Randall, who bougt the lots of the town of
Moorefield, and paid the Quit rent of to Conrad Moore, Manor Lord. It was
Manor Lands. I was then about six years old. They distributed the lots by
lot. I was chosen to draw the lots from a hat, and drew for my father Jacob
Yokum, the lot adjoining the Court-House, the best lot in the town. (Mr.
McCoy laid out the town).
In 1782, I went with a company of men to the Big Meadows to find silver. we
were hired by some men who had discovered an icing-glass hill.
In the year 1781, I went down with 40 or 50 men under Captain Tiverbaugh, to
supply the stations in Tygertis Valley. We passed on our way one Greggis, on
Seneca, a branch of the North fork of the South Branch. Two of three days
before we came along, while the old man Gregg was out hunting his hourses, the
Indians came to the house and shot Greggis weaver at the loom through the
window. They then came in and tomahawked Greggis little daughter, that was
quilling for him. While this was doing, the other daughter (Jesse Greggis
sister) and the only other person at home, came in, shut the door, went by the
indian, and stood in the jam, by the fire as if stunned with of fright: Whe
she saw what was doing, she went out again, and ran over to Paul Keeteris (3
miles) When old Mr. Gregg came towards home, from the back of the plantation
and saw the house set on fire, and the Indains with the trencers out in the
yard, eating, he hallowed out, curse them for etc. When they got there from
Paul Keeteris the little girl was scalped, and crawling away form the fire.
She died in consequence of the heat of the fire before, or by the time she
could be gotten to Paul Keetis house.
There were about four forts in the valley - Wilsonis, Westfallis, Cassidayis,
and the first I forget. Two days before we got there, within a 1/2/3 mile of
Westfalles we saw them laying the body of Captain Adam Stonemaker. He had on
and officeis coat and maccaroni-hat. In the evening of the day before, they
went to Wilsonis Fort, and were on their return, when the Indians shot him
right in the small of the back, missing his friend, who got into the
Westfallis Fort, and gave the alarm. His horse gave three jumps before he
fell off. We crossed Cheat nine times before we got to Wilsonis and
Westfallis. We went in March to Westfallis staid about half the time a
Cassidyis and returned back in August. We were not interrupted any after we
got to the Stations.
In March 1783, forteen men of us, with two Negro boys, started from the
Monongahela; some of them surveyors; to lay pre-emptions in the Indian coutry.
Congress had forbid such enteries and when we got to Louisville, Martin
Elliott and I came up to Harrodsburgh (note: Harrodsburgh Fort was one of the
earliest and largest forts built in the fontier.... It was the "jumping off
place" for many who came west).
We started on the 1st. of March, and I got home on the 25th day of July. Five
of us come through the Wilderness together. About a days travel from the
Crab-orchard, we met an old man alone, on foot, his head whitened with age.
He had left his family in Powellis Valley and was on his way to make
provisions for them in Kentucky. we gave him provision to carry him through.
CONTINUED BELOW..........
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