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I have seen several posting regarding the story of the Westerfield Massacre as told to Lyman Draper. Decided I would post what I have. Tommye
WESTERFIELD MASSACRE
Letter of H.R. Stafford to Lyman C. Draper, historian.
My grandfather, James Westerfield was a large man weighing 333 pounds, himself and family left Berkeley Co., Virginia about 1780 and emigrated to Kentucky by way of Pittsberg to Louisville intending to go to Herrod's Station in now Mercer Co. Ky. Him and company about 30 persons started from Louisville to the Station camped for the night on the waters of Beargrass about 12 miles out and sometime in the night was attacked by a party of Indians while asleep, and but few escaped death. The old man [James Westerfield] and two of his daughters among the number killed. The old lady [Maria Demaree-his wife] saved 3 children by hiding them in a sink hole, one child in her arms and 2 under her clothes to keep them from crying. My mother, then single, also escaped to a fort not far off but owing to the alarm with difficulty got in. Those that were prisoners was separated a little way from each other until they could find out which was capable to travel, and those unfit to travel was tomahawked and scalped, one woman sitting by, on seeing one of her children one after another slain, they went to take her infant out of her arms her fortitude gave way, held on to the child screaming for its safety was killed on the spot by the hatchet and scalped, they took the infant by the heels and beat out its brains against a tree. They then took such of the others as they intended to take with them & ripped open the beds, scattering the feathers, gathered their plunder and left. After killing the Old Man they seemed to think they had killed a giant. Three buttoned themselves in his big coat and danced. Deborah Westerfield and her cousin Polly taken off prisoners to Detroit, then sold to the French as servants, was badly treated and by the sympathy of the same, sold into another family. They remained until exchanged and finally got home to (?) surviving friends. While in captivity at about that time the old lady [Maria] was taken on her return from a French's house, had her horse shot out from under her and taken not far from (Checkhans?) Station in now Shelby Co., KY. (Note: Could not make out name of the station. I believe it was Ketchum's Station.) Taken a few miles off, secured for the night, until they could steal some horses for their journey, came back before day with the horses, gave her choice, the back of which she knew well, (dexterously?) put on her saddle and when ready, mounted and took off was taken- also to Detroit in great hope of meeting with her daughters and cousin Polly Westerfield but to her disappointment they were released and gone home around east. She remained there about one year and finally got back. I omitted to state that after the horses were killed she was made to run and pack her saddle about four miles on to a creek in the hills called battekin (?) to the ______place referred to above. [I think this might be Bullskin Creek.] All of which is respectfully narrated as I learned it. H. R. Stafford, Carroll Co., March 28, 1865"
Notes: James Westerfield was killed in an Indian raid upon his arrival into Ky.
The one who weighed 333 lbs., was James Westerfield, and was the husband of Maria Demaree, who saved three of her children. They were the parents of James Westerfield who married Phoebe Cozine and the grandparents of Cornelius Westerfield,Sr., who married Elizabeth "Betsy" Bruce. Notes by Barbara.
It was extracted from the microfilm by Mary Landkamer of Broke Bow, Ok, Nov. 18, 1991, and was in "The Melted American" {Westerfield} Newsletter #14, Nov. 18, 1996, pp13 and 14.
This is from Draper Manuscripts Volume 24C145&148. (That is what it has, I wonder if it should be 145-148.)
This background is given: "In 1865, Lyman C. Draper, historian had written to H. R. Stafford for information on his father, William Stafford who was a very early settler in Kentucky having come from Randolph Co. Virginia with Daniel Boone when Boone moved his family to Kentucky. In answering Mr. Draper, H. R. also told about the Westerfield [Westervelt] family since H. R's mother was Leah Westerfield who married William Stafford in 1793"
This information was sent to me by a Westerfield researcher named Alma Travis. Email address Mtravis929@aol.com
Father: Jacobus\James Westerfield\Westervelt b. 7 Sep 1712 in Holland
Mother Debra Van Schywen
Marriage 1 Maria Demaree \Est b: 19 Oct. `735 in Schraalenburgh, Bergen, N. J.
Married: 5 Nov. 1754 in Schraalenburgh, Bergen, N. J.
Children:
Jacobus Samuel Westerfield
Rebecca Westerfield
Catherine Westerfield
\ James Westerfield b. 15 August 1755 in Utrecht, Long Island, N.Y.
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