Chasing the Frontier
Scotch-Irish Settlement in Early America
The men who were making homes along Dick's and Carpenter's Creek were expected to do their part when fighting men were required. Lincoln County's Company of Light Horse, serving under Captain Kinkead, was ordered out by Colonel John Bowman on February 21, 1781, to defend settlers to the north in Fayette County. Each man was to bring his own horse and provisions and Nathan Huston was among those riding to Fayette under Kinkead. Although some of the men joined later, after the company was already enroute, most served nearly five weeks before they returned on March 28th.
During the summer, George Rogers Clark ordered the construction of a river boat that could be used in defense of the settlers along the river. In addition, the men were to carve canoes from trees to serve as a part of the crude navy. No sooner had Nathan returned to the cabin and their farm than Stephenson began packing provisions for his own excursion. Another party of Lincoln County men was being called out, this time to guard the men "Digging Canoes," and Stephen was to be among them. The companies under Samuel Kirkham and John Martin would march from Lincoln County to Leestown, at the north edge of present-day Frankfort, with Stephen Huston and James Gilmore riding ahead on horseback. Each was classified as a "Spy" with orders to "Discover the approach of the Indian Enemy." Stephen mounted his horse on April 25, and rode north from Hanging Fork as the company began its march from Lincoln County. He and James spent the remainder of April, all of May and all of June, scouting the areas around the militia and riding back to report their findings. The company -- their mission completed -- returned to Lincoln County on July 2. While he was scouting at Leestown, the ground under Stephen's feet changed its designation: Virginia had officially organized the frontier as the "District of Kentucky" on May 1.
Captain Kirkham's "Pay Role" included Lieutenant William Givens, Sergeant John Popham, Sergeant John Smith, Henry Miller, George Watts, John Summit, William Crawford, John Anderson, Elkaner Allin, William Campbell, Saml. Hines, John Bohannan, Moses Lucas, Jacob Holefelaws, Edwd. Willis, William Laurence, Joseph Ayers, John Kelly, Robt. Armstrong, Henry Grider, Robt. Flemming, Jas. Mcphaddian, Jas. Alley, Jas. Bradley, Saml. Wilson, Hugh Rosan, John Harbison, David Smith, Patrick Hurrigan, William Addams, Jas. Gilmore, Stephen Huston, and Richard Stearman.
The rate of pay differed greatly from the Captain to his privates; Kirkham was to be paid eleven Pounds, Virginia currency per day, while most of the foot soldiers received two Pounds, eight Shillings per day. Possibly, since they had the luxury of riding on horseback, Stephen Huston and James Gilmore were paid at a rate lower than any man who served the entire campaign, at two Pounds, four Shillings per day.
If they might have felt slighted at the time, they were compelled to action ten years later when they realized they had never been paid for their efforts. To receive the back pay, they were obliged to formally petition the General Assembly of Virginia.
