THE SOLDIER WHO LOST EVERYTHING
WILLIAM PEYTON FOSTER 1747 Prince William, VA - 1825 Clark, KY
Submitted by Mary Hatton
William Foster inherited land in Bourbon, KY for his service in the Revolutionary War, but only after losing everything he had. His perseverance and dedication to freedom are historically memorable. He was born on July 15, 1747, into a world where the fragile fabric between the American Colonies and the mother country had already begun to tear. In Prince William County, Virginia, he was the first-born child of George and Margaret (Grigsby) Foster, where he grew to manhood. In about 1772 he married Sallie Slade, born about 1747, and they managed to have two babies before the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired. He and his neighbors signed up with John Green’s Company of Artillery at Fauquier County, Virginia in early February of 1777. He served out his enlistment as a bombardier, returned to his family for a short time, and then reenlisted. Another son was born after this visit.
William was on the lists of Company 9 at Valley Forge on June 3, 1778 and remained in Charles Harrisons’ Virginia Regiment of Artillery for the duration of the war. (Sheffell’s Record of the Rev. War, pg. 25) He was there through the icy cold winter when "the troops hungered, froze, and often left bloody footprints in the snow due to lack of shoes." (Seedlings of William Foster, Bk II, pg. 3) The soldiers would hack through the ice with their knives or bayonets and carve depressions in the frozen dirt, which gave them whatever warmth the earth offered as they slept. They hunted small game, foraged for herbs, and dug roots, but often they simply went without. Fevers and dysentery were rampant and many soldiers died of exposure that winter.
William was with Washington’s forces near New York City when the war reached a stalemate, allowing him to return to his family for a short time in 1780. This visit resulted in yet another son. He then trudged hundreds of miles to rejoin his unit. He fought in the Battle of Ft. Ninety-Six and the Battle of Eutaw Springs, South Carolina before his unit joined General Greene, who was following Cornwallis into Virginia as the tides of war were turning. At Little York Cornwallis was trapped between American and French armies, with an armada of French ships blocking any escape to the sea, and William’s artillery unit helped reduce the General’s troops to a state of surrender.
After six and a half years of honorable service William returned to his family with one good arm--the other mangled by two musket ball wounds—but still feeling the euphoria of victory. His jubilation was cut short when he learned that his wife and father were dead and his children were living with his over-burdened mother who was still raising children of her own. William’s father had left him 100 acres in his will, however it was fully mortgaged so his family wouldn’t starve while he was away fighting for his country, and had been taken over by a neighbor. William brought home his salary but it was useless paper money since the newly-formed government was not yet collecting taxes and had no real cash to pay for military services. Instead, it promised land.
William would have seen the desperation and confusion in his grief-stricken children’s eyes, seen his mother too busy with feeding everyone to take the time to comfort them, stood by the two graves with small hands gripping his, and wondered if it was all worth it. Two years passed and William found love again in Sarah Hart b. 1766 Virginia. They were soon married, and not long afterwards left for Bourbon, Kentucky, where payment of land awaited. Who was better qualified to live on the frontier and deal with the Indians than a war-hardened solder?—This was how the government rewarded the soldier who lost everything.
They traveled with a group lead by his friend Timothy Peyton and settled at the William Thomas Station, a fortified settlement. Because of Indian raids these families lived together at the Station and farmed the surrounding land. Timothy Peyton soon built his own station and William and Sarah joined him there, with William’s son Harrison. Sarah’s first child was born here. Sadly, while Timothy was farming he was attacked and killed by Indians. It was William who gathered the men to go and retrieve the body of his dear friend.
After numerous Indian skirmishes common sense drove these families into nearby Clark County where the greater distance and numbers kept the Indians at bay and where Sarah bore ten more children for William. His farm eventually became so profitable that he no longer qualified for a pension. William eventually died at age 78 from complications of diabetes. He endured every kind of suffering but was never conquered. This is the kind of determined spirit, and many others like him, who built the foundation of our country today.
Fosters In Bourbon, Clark, Nicholas, Shelby, Mason, Nelson in 1830
George Foster in Bourbon, KY
Henry Foster in Bourbon, KY
Thomas Foster, Bourbon, KY
Asa Foster, Bourbon, KY
Fosters In Bourbon, Clark, Nicholas, Shelby, Mason, Nelson in 1820
Jeremiah, North Middleton, Bourbon, KY
Asa, North Middleton, Bourbon, KY
Jesse Foster, North Middleton, Bourbon, KY
John Foster, North Middleton, Bourbon, KY
Samuel Foster, North Middleton, Bourbon, KY
Thomas Foster, North Middleton, Bourbon, KY
1810 US Federal Census Kentucky
Asa Foster, Stoner, Bourbon, KY
James Foster, Stoner, Bourbon, KY
Jesse Foster, Stoner, Bourbon, KY
John Foster, Stoner, Bourbon, KY
John Foster, Stoner, Bourbon, KY
Thomas Foster, Stoner, Bourbon, KY
KENTUCKY MARRIAGES 1786 to 1800
Asa Foster
Mary Pullon
22 Dec 1791
David Foster
Mary McDowell
14 Jun 1796
Esther Foster
Absalum Hunt
Mar 1793
Hannah Foster
Jonathan Huling
05 Feb 1793
Margaret Foster
David Edmonson
Apr 1790
Mary Foster
Isaac Ruddle
23 Jun 1790
Sally Foster
Charles Ford
10 Apr 1793
Daniel Lary
Elizabeth Scott
29 Jan 1798
Lavinia Parish
Adam Hornback
Mar 1790
Mary Parish
Daniel Hornback
Mar 1790
Adam Alkiel
Margaret Hornback
25 Oct 1788
Wm. Brown
Elizabeth Hornback
10 Jan 1799
Elizabeth Hornback
William Brown
10 Jan 1799
Abraham Hornback
Eliza Trumbe
16 Aug 1791
Adam Hornback
Lavina Parish
Mar 1790
Daniel Hornback
Mary Parish
Mar 1790
Dorothy Hornback
Dick Ferguson
19 Dec 1797
Jacob Hornback
Leathe Congers
08 Jul 1797
James Hornback
Mary Sconce
02 Apr 1795
John Hornback
Elizabeth Phebus
30 Nov 1791
Margaret Hornback
Adam Alkiel
25 Oct 1788
Margaret Hornback
Isaac Funk
08 Jul 1797
Margaret Hornback
Benjamin Van Varter
Aug 1793
Mary Hornback
Abraham Groom
Jan 1794
Michial Hornback
Ruth Parker
29 Jan 1798
Anne Ruddel
George Lay
23 Aug 1794
Abraham Ruddle
Mary Culp
23 Aug 1797
Elizabeth Ruddle
John Mulherren
21 Jan 1789
Isaac Ruddle
Mary Foster
23 Jun 1790
James Ruddle
Jane Ruddle
29 Dec 1788
William Ruddle
Jane Davidson
01 Nov 1796
William Ruddle
Elizabeth Spencer
May 1796
EARLY KENTUCKY SETTLERS, 1700s-1800s: Kentucky Probate and Church Records, Vol. II Warren County Estates
Asa Foster witnessed will of Joseph Barbee, Will Bk E pg. 115. Wife: Leannah, son Jesse; other sons and daughters. Feb 1, 1814. Wit: Asa Foster, Tobias Strader. Bourbon Kentucky Wills
George Chamblin, Wil Bk F pg. 469, Names five youngest sons, plantation purchased of Nicholas Bryant; wife, Frances; eight youngest children, viz, Polly, George, Lucy, James, Braxton, Fanny, John, Coleman; son, William; daughter Nancy Win; daughter Betsy Foster. Ex: wife and sons William and George. Wit: Wm Northcutt, John H Jones, Isaac Webb. Bourbon Co, KY
Thomas McClanahan Hrs vs. Admr., Filed May 9, 1834—Bill in Chancery, Box 732—James McClanahan, JohnMcClanahan, Braxton W. Chamblin and wife, Margaret, late McClanahan, Lucy Ann McClanahan, an inft. Under 21, by gdn, said Braxton W. Chamblin, Thomas McClanahan and Newman McClanaham, infts. Under 21, by gdn. Huball Foster, who show that they together with Elizabeth Foster, late ElizabethMcClanahan, now intermarried with Hubbell Foster, are hrs. and chdn. Of Thomas McClanahan, dccd. Who departed this life in the month of June or July in 1833, possession of slaves and personal estate. Said Hubbell Foster appointed administrator. Bourbon, KY
Jedidiah Pullen D 176, Wife: Betsy; sons, John, James, Thomas; daus. Sinah Clinkenbeard, wife of Isaac C.; Betsy Smart, wife of Richard Smart, Polly Foster, wife of Asa Foster, Sarah Fegan, wife of Zacharia Fegan. Nov. 1809-Jul, 1811. Wit: Geo Case,Wm Pullen, Samuel Levescue. Bourbon, KY
Margaret Foster m. David Edmonson Apr 1790 Bourbon Co
Dorothy Hornback m. Dick Ferguson Dec. 19, 1797 Bourbon
Elizabeth McDowell m. Wm. Fleming Dec. 15, 1785 Bourbon
Sally Foster m. Charles Ford Apr 10, 1793
John Fight m. Mary McCormack Oct 21, 1799 Bourbon
Asa Foster m. Mary Pullen Dec. 22, 1791 Bourbon
David Foster m. Mary McDowell June 14, 1796 Bourbon
Esther Foster m. Absolum Hunt March 1791 Bourbon
Hannah Foster m. Jonathan Huling Feb. 5, 1793 Bourbon
Margaret Foster m. David Edmonson April 1790 Bourbon
Mary Foster m. Isaac Ruddle June 23 1790 Bourbon
Sally Foster m. Charles Ford Apr 10, 1793 Bourbon
Margaret Hornback m. Isaac Funk July 8, 1797 Bourbon
Sarah Hughes m. Thomas Chapin Nov 1, 1798 Bourbon
Samuel Jackson m. Hannah McDowell Feb 5, 1795 Bourbon
Elizabeth McCormack m. Wm. Burks May wo, 1799 Bourbon
Mary Pullen m. Asa Foster Dec 22, 1791 Bourbon
James Ruddle m. Jane Ruddle Dec 29, 1788 Bourbon
Wm Ruddle m. Jane Davidson Nov 1, 1796 Bourbon
Wm Ruddle m. Elizabeth Spencer May 1796 Bourbon
HORNBACK
Legal
Michael Hornback witnessed will of David Bowles, Bourbon Co, KY 1807
HORNBACK, SIMON — B, 114—Sons, Abraham, Michael, George, John, Isaac, Jacob, and Simon; daus. Polly Susie, Peggy Barbara; wife, Margaret; bro. Michael, Dec. 17, 1800 – Jan. 1801. A. and Martha Trumbo, wts.
BOURBON COUNTY ORDERS AND SUITS
April Court 1801: George Hornback, infant orphan (meaning minor) of Simon Hornback, decd., chose Abraham Hornback gdn. Jno. Artman, Wm. Alkire and Geo. McCown, sureties.
Barbara Hornback, infant orphan of Simon Hornback, decd. Chose Michael Hornback gdn.
Dec. Court 1801 - Michael Hornback Jr, appointed guardian to Elizabeth, Rachel, Samuel, and Michael Hornback, infant heirs of James Hornback, decd. Michael Hornback and Ezekiel Hopkins, sureties.
BOURBON CO MARRIAGES - Hornback
Margaret Hornback and Adam Alkiel Oct 25, 1788
Deborah Alkiel and Jacob Trumbo Apr 2, 1798
Elizabeth Hornback to Wm Brown 10 Jan 1799
Jacob Hornback to Leathe Congers 8 Jul 1797
Dorothy Hornback m. Dick Ferguson 19 Dec 1797
Margaret Hornback m. Isaac Funk 8 Jul 1797
Mary Hornback m. Abraham Groom Jan 1794
Abraham Hornback m. Eliza Trumbo 16 Aug 1791
Adam Hornback m. Lavinia Parish Mar 1790
Daniel Hornback m. Mary Parish March 1790
Dorothy Hornback m. Dick Ferguson 19 Dec 1797
Jacob Hornback m. Leathe Congers 8 Jul 1797
James Hornback m. Mary Sconce 2 Apr 1795
John Hornback m. Elizabeth Phebus 30 Nov 1791
Margaret Hornback m. Adam Alkier 25 Oct 1788
Asa Foster of Bourbon Co m. Miss Mary Ann Woods of Lexington Nov 18, 1830
Martha Foster, daughter of John Foster of Clarke County, m. Tarlton Embry Jr. of Madison Co. 1 Apr 1846 in Clarke Co.
John Foster m. Elizabeth Hill 27 Mar 1709 Clark Co, KY (Kentucky Marriages 1802-1850)
Kentucky Marriages, 1802-1850
about Elizabeth James Foster Palmer
Spouse 1:
Foster, Elizabeth
Spouse 2:
Palmer, James
Marriage Date:
19 Aug 1808
Marriage Location:
Kentucky
Bourbon County
KENTUCKY MARRIAGES
BOURBON CO:
Margaret Foster to David Edmondson April 1790
Sally Foster to Charles Foster April 10, 1793
Asa Foster to Mary Pullen Dec. 22, 1791
David Foster to Mary McDowell June 14, 1796
Esther Foster to Absolum Hunt March 1793
Hannah Foster to Jonathan Huling 5 Feb 1793
Mary Foster to Isaac Ruddle June 23, 1790
