Edward Nelson w/Daniel Boone expedition c1775, KY
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In reply to:
Re: KY & Knox/Roane cos, TN - Nelson in L. Draper MSS
susan hayden 10/22/01
Since you posted your msg, I have made a possible connection to the Nelsons in early Northeastern Kentucky through a dna match, and in the process have been researching them more.This is speculation, but Anson Nelson, the real estate broker in Roane Co., TN 1884 and Thomas A. R. Nelson who was an attorney/judge in Roane/Knox may possibly be descendants of Edward Nelson, who went with Daniel Boone c1775 from NC on his 2nd expedition into KY, considering the tone of their early correspondence with Lyman Draper in his papers.
One thing I wanted to ask about is some of the dates in your msg don't equate with life expectancy - and you may be missing a generation in your research, which might be why they are so hard to trace.Usually, some 30 years is considered "average" between generations, giving time to grow up, start having kids.I don't know your age, butI'm 66.My grandparents were born c1880; great-grandparents c1850; grgrgrandparents c1820ish - so unless there was some fluke, and yes, it happened with 2nd/3rd wives, something may be amiss.At any rate, Anson alivein Roane Co. in 1884 might not be the father of someone born in 1821, although I haven't checked 1880 Roane Co. census for this Anson's age/place of birth.
This is a transcript of an interview by Lyman Draper of William Nelson made Sept 1863, William then age 60 [born c1803], a grandson of Edward Nelson:
NELSON, WILLIAM:Interview by Lyman Draper of William Nelson, 1863, typed as written, Reel 18S:230-233:
"From Wm Nelson, aged 60, near Boonesboro KY.Says his grandfather, Edward Nelson, was a native of Culpeper Co VA. – Early went to Yadkin, Rowan Co where he was mostly raised – migrated to Boonesboro with his family (my informant’s father two years old – born in 1773, & died in 1858 at age of 85 – must have gone in 1775 to Boonesboro – was there when the Boone & Callaway girls were taken - & during the long siege.
"At the siege in 1778, Wm Cradlebaugh hearing the French & Indians undermining at the river, threw buffalo bones over the fort picketing at them.They cursed back - & said the people in the fort must be getting out of ammunition when they had to resort to throwing bones.
"Mr. Ed. Nelson was on Bowman’s campaign, & brought home a pony, which soon after strayed off.United with his old friend Col. Dl Boone, in settling Boone’s Station – near Athens – went on Logan’s Expedition in 1786, & from the effects of exposures and finally died not long after his return, & was buried at Boone’s Station.His grave is forgotten & unrecognized.His wife survived till 1837 [or 9 - mlj] & died over 90 years of age, in Clark Co., Ky (not on pub. pension rolls) but one child living, a widowed daughter near Owenton, Owen Co., Ky.
"My information says, his father pointed out the charcoal at mouth of Raven Creek, (in Madison Co.) where it unites with the Ky river, a wild, rocky spot, where Col. Boone once wintered (or camped) – a secluded place from the Indians.
"Salt making at Boonesboro – Mrs. Ed Nelson said she had made salt from the water from the sulphur well at Boonesboro – very tedious – it taking 60 gallons for a pound.
"A young man perhaps named Waters* came to Boonesboro about 1778 in Spring - & was out in the woods with Edward Nelson, & making large wishes that he might meet an Indian.Nelson quietly replied that he might meet one much sooner than would prove desirable; & had hardly uttered the words when some guns fired, & Waters was shot through, & ran for Boonesboro - & reaching the river opposite the fort – river full & ?brimming with ice, in his alarm plunged in, but from exhaustion sank before reaching the southern shore.A few days after a French trader’s boat made its appearance – the first that ever appeared there - & when in sight fired off a small ?swivel, which caused the body to rise – it was recovered & buried.
"This trader brought some taffi_[looks like “a” – mlj], goods & ammunition & drove a good trade with the inhabitants.This visit was quite an era in the history of the fort.
"When the first corn raised at Boonesboro was fit for roasting, that was a great time of rejoicing – Sept 8th & 9th ’63.
"*James Waters: Int 1860, vol. 6 p 14, was in Ky in Nov. 1777."
[This note was contained in manuscript at bottom of pg 232 – mlj].