KY-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest 11 April 2000 Volume 00 : Issue 157 ______________________________X-Message: #1 Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2000 11:48:16 -0500 From: "Bob & Kate Cook" Subject: HISTORY: Isaac Knight - pt 5 - final This day a tavern keeper, living in Detroit, by the name of John Dolson, hearing that such a boy was in the place, sent a servant for him, inviting him to his house. Isaac accepted the invitation, and had the pleasure of dining in his house that day. With this gentleman Isaac remained some four or five weeks, attending to his stock and waiting on him in many things, being treated by him and his family with so much kindness as to bring him under great obligations to them. About this time Isaac learned that a Captain and his company of soldiers were about to start to Fort Maumee, and having obtained permission of the Captain to accompany them, Isaac made ready, and early next morning, bidding his kind host adieu, and drawing rations in common with the soldiers, he went on board the boat, and sailed for Fort Maumee, which they made, having a favorable wind, in one day. Spending a few days at this place, some wagons came to the Fort, bringing goods and presents for the Indians, to Wayne’s treaty, and as these wagons were said to be returning to Cincinnati; Isaac asked permission of the wagon master to go with them, stating to him his situation; he gave consent, and drew rations for him accordingly. With these wagons he traveled about fifteen days, and they stopped at Greenville, in the state of Ohio. Here he remained for three or four days, watching an opportunity to get home. It so happened that two men had gone there with three horses, loaded or packed with peach brandy, which they had sold out, and were now ready to return to Columbia, six or eight miles above Cincinnati, -- On their led horse Isaac had the good fortune to ride to that place, drawing rations still at every garrison that he passed on the way. Here he staid some ten days or two weeks, and spent the time very agreeably with the young people, especially some handsome girls he found there. A gentleman and lady, and riding towards Cincinnati, having a led horse, stopped at the fence; the family went out to speak with them, and Isaac asked if he might ride the loose horse to town; they told him he might; he hurried to get his blanket; bade his friends farewell, girls and all, and rode off to town. All this time Isaac still wore his Indian dress. At Cincinnati he presented himself to the officer commanding, and was told he could draw provisions until he met with an opportunity to go on. Perfectly composed, he laid down to sleep, but was presently aroused and informed by the soldiers that a man by the name of David pea, who had carried an express from Vinceunes, on the Wabash river, to the army at Detroit, and then returning, was hunting for him. Isaac went immediately in pursuit of Mr. Pea; and, finding him, they drew provisions, and in a skiff, started for Louisville. At Detroit, a gentleman to whom Isaac had related his story, gave him twenty five cents, which he had carefully preserved. They had not gone far down the river until Mr. Pea, desiring to have some butter, landed near a farm where he thought it could be had, and sent Isaac to the house for it. He went with all speed, and found an old Irish lady who had just churned a fine portion of it, informing her what he wanted, and having nothing in which to carry it, the lady told him to get a cabbage leaf, and handing her his money, he hastened to do as she directed. When he returned, he told her hastily who he was, and what was his purpose. "Ah, dear child, if that’s the way of it, take your butter and take your money, too," and gave his money back to him. A young lady who had been listening to the conversation, came out soon and presented Isaac with a loaf of bread. He thanked them and bade farewell, still talking to them as long as he could hear them - making his way! back to the skiff, he had not more than reached the place where he left Mr. Pea, until a negro boy came running, bringing them half a bushel of sweet potatoes. They continued down the river until they got within a few miles of Louisville, where Isaac was sent again to a house to buy butter. He was informed that the lady had none; here again, he suggested that he had been a prisoner with the Indians, and was then trying to get home. On learning this the good woman took his cup and filled it with butter, and, in tears, inquired if he knew any thing about her son, who had also been taken by the savages, giving a description of him. Isaac remembered to have heard some of the Indians say that there was such a boy, some distance beyond Mackanaw, and gave her that information; she seemed gratified to learn that it was probable at least, her son was yet alive. She followed him to the bank of the river, bathed in tears, and still talking as long as he could hear her. Early next morning they landed at the Fort just opposite to Louisville. Isaac reported himself as usual, and was provided for. The same day Isaac, getting the lone of a canoe, went across to Louisville, and spent the day in seeking an opportunity to go on. In the evening he met a man who told him that he and another man would start the next morning from the lower landing and he would come to them that night, he could go with them. Isaac hurried back to the Fort, and with some difficulty, drew provisions for the route, and with greater difficulty, procured a canoe in which to cross the river again. He succeeded, however, and bearing a heavy pack of beef and flour from the mouth of Beargrass, down to the landing above named, a little after dark he reached the canoe, in which after waiting a few days, he again descended the river. After running some days, they landed at the mouth of Harden creek. Here Isaac met with a young married woman, with whom he had gone to school before he was taken by the Indians. They recognized each other, and she informed him that his father and friends had removed from Red Banks, to what was then, and is now called, Knight’s Falls on Green river. He was here advised to land at the Yellow Banks, which he did. Now we find the weary, anxious little prisoner within thirty miles of his father’s dwelling. From this place, he started alone and afoot along a path some twelve miles in length, to the house of an old acquaintance, Mr. Martin Vernado, with whom he had often forted at Vienna, when but a child. As he approached the gate, he was perceived but by an old man, who had not yet recognized him. He entered the yard, where all were engaged swingling flax. The eyes of the old lady were no sooner fixed upon him, then she came, in a ecstacy of joy, exclaiming, "Oh Isaac! Isaac! Isaac!" The poor boy, overwhelmed with joy at meeting with those he knew and loved could not but be aflected by the scene, while all the family shared in the joys of the occasion. His anxiety was unspeakable to reach his own dear home; but this kind family was unwilling that he should leave them until next morning; he therefore spent the night with them, and rested but a little, being all the time employed in giving a history of his sufferings, hard usage, &c. Next morning the kindness of Mr. Vernado and one of his sons impelled them to accompany Isaac in a canoe, down Green river, to his father’s house. When they landed, the old gentleman advised the boys to remain in the canoe until he could reach the house, and then to come suddenly upon them. Isaac’s father sat in the door, conversing with Mr. Vernado, who asked if he would not shout for joy, as he had brought his daughters to see him. Just at this instant, Isaac ascended the top of the bank in full view of the door of his father’s house, which stood some fifty or sixty yards off. The moment the disquieted old man saw his son, he recognized him, and exclaimed, "Yonder is Isaac!" and ran to meet him. At this moment, his mother and family all started to welcome the return of the long lost boy. Overcome with joy, until pale as death, with feelings wrought as high as nature could well bear, the anxious mother came wringing her hands, and exclaiming, "Is it possible it is him?" and falling upon his neck, she wept over him and hissed him; evincing feelings of joy and gratitude which no human tongue can describe, and none but a mother’s heart can feel. Their joy was still father expressed by firing three guns, to inform the neighbors that something joyful! had taken place Now, Isaac must eat again in his father’s house, and his own fond mother had the pleasure of preparing that repast. Meanwhile one of his brothers had hurried to a neighbor’s house, where Isaac’s connexions were nearly all collected at a quilting and corn-shucking. When he entered the house they were all seated for dinner. He gave the information, and the dinner was left untouched. All hands started to meet Isaac; men, women and children. His swiftfooted associates, whom he had left at home, leading the way. By this time Isaac and his father’s family, not knowing that the younger brother had carried the news with so much speed, started to the place above named, where the neighbors had collected. Presently they all met the little Indian prisoner, and with joys utterable, welcomed him to their social enjoyments, in the dear loved land of his early boyhood. Remembering his weight about the time he was taken, Isaac and his friends had curiosity to know how much he had gained during his absence; and upon weighing him with the same steelyards on which he drew down 82 lbs. When he left, he now weighed 84 lbs.; gaining in two years and a half, but two pounds. This is mentioned to satisfy the reader that his hard usage, scanty living, and arduous labors while with the Indians, was such as to prevent him from growing much if any. Isaac was about two years and six months with the Indians, and having had previously little schooling, his education was limited, and advantages of that kind were seldom enjoyed at that early period in the settlement of that part of Kentucky. He now spent about a year with his father, and labored on the farm, until he began to think of arranging business for himself in future life. After Isaac’s arrival at home, having learned that his fellow-prisoners, George Sprinkle and John Upp, had returned some three months before him, he went to see them, and happy to review the trials, hardships and sufferings they had undergone. These boys are yet all living - George Sprinke in Illinois, John Upp in Kentucky, and Isaac Knight in Vanderburgh county, in the State of Indiana. - Now, however, they are all old men; and the Author of this Narrative wishes now to conclude it by giving a relation of his experimental acquaintance with religion. Residing in the vicinty of the Red Banks, Isaac Knight enjoyed the ministerial labors of the Rev. James McGready, through whose instrumentality he first became awakened, and knew himself to be a sinner against God. He seldom heard a sermon which did not make some lasting impression upon his mind. Finding no peace for his conscience while he lived in sin, and fearing final consequences of it, he commenced an humble, penitent prayer for mercy – in the guild, his fears were frequently great beyond measure, that God had forgotten to be gracious; and mercy was clean gone for ever. The sins of his whole life laid heavy upon him; especially the remembrance of his guilt in killing the little Indian child (of which an account is given in this Narrative), a source of much uneasiness and great alarm. Having, however, nothing to plead but mercy, he begged for that with humble importunity; and now he gratefully remembers that, when at prayer by a stump in the corn field, his burden of guilt was removed; he found joy and peace in believing, and ventured humbly to claim God, as his God, reconciled through Christ; through whom then, as now, he hopes sooner or later, to share in blissful blessedness in Heaven. End of ky-footsteps-digest V00 #157 ********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.