| Birth: | Oct. 1, 1755
Prince William County
Virginia, USA | | Death: | May, 1792
Shelby County
Ohio, USA | 
John L. Hardin (b. Oct. 1, 1755; d. May 1792) was a soldier, farmer, rancher, noted marksman and hunter. He was wounded fighting in Lord Dunmore's War; served as a Continental Army officer in the American Revolutionary War and as a Kentucky Co., Virginia militia commander in the Northwest Indian War. He was a member of the Methodist church and one of the first judges in the original Washington County, Virginia (later to become Washington County, KY). John Hardin was killed in an ambush while acting as a peace emissary (under the direction of President, George Washington) to the Shawnee Indian people.
EARLY LIFE
Born in Prince William County, Virginia (in a section that is now Fauquier County), Hardin was the first son and fifth child of Martin Hardin (1716–1778), an owner of an "ordinary" and member of the Virginia militia, and Lydia [nee Waters] Hardin (1721–1800). He married Jane Daviess (died 31 May 1829) and together they had seven children, with future Kentucky senator, Martin D. Hardin, their youngest. Martin married Ann Logan, daughter of General Benjamin Logan. Their second oldest son, Mark, married Mary Adair, daughter of Kentucky Governor John Adair.
MILITARY LIFE
Lord Dunmore's War: due to his reputation as a marksman, Hardin was asked in 1774 to join Capt. Zack Moran's troop, mustering in as an ensign, fighting Indians in Lord Dunmore's War. Hardin's exploits in this war led to him becoming popularly known on the frontier as "The Indian Killer". It was in a battle that same year, while firing on an adversary, that Hardin received a ball to the groin. He carried that bullet in him for life.
Revolutionary War
In the War of Independence, John Hardin was a 2nd Lieutenant in the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment, better known as "The Provisional Rifle Corps" (or "Morgan's Rifles"), and fought at Saratoga, while serving directly under Colonel Morgan.
Later life
In 1786, the Hardin family settled on a large parcel of land in Washington County, Virginia (now Washington County, Kentucky), where they farmed and raised stock. They also joined the Methodist church in that area. Hardin had some success as a rancher, continually adding acreage to his original tract.
Later militia service
As a militia captain in 1786, John Hardin led a successful attack on a Piankeshaw village near present day Vincennes, Indiana which, unfortunately, belonged to a friendly tribe that had been colonial American allies. In August 1789, he led another militia expedition to the Terre Haute, Indiana area where he attacked a Shawnee village and returned to Kentucky with twelve scalps.
Hardin was promoted to colonel and repeatedly engaged Indians during the Northwest Indian War in the Ohio Territory. In 1790, he led the Kentucky militia on the disastrous Harmar Campaign, also known as Hardin's Defeat. Their rout began a long succession of American losses to Miami chief Little Turtle. In 1791, Hardin led a force of 60 Kentucky mounted militia in the destruction of a large Kickapoo village near the mouth of the Big Pine Creek, as part of General Charles Scott's campaign to destroy Ouiatenon.
Namesake places
Hardin County, Illinois
Hardin County, Kentucky
Hardin County, Ohio
In 2001 Hardin County, Kentucky's school district opened John Hardin High School in Radcliff, Kentucky.
Hardin, Shelby County, Ohio
It is alleged that the site of the town of Hardin (located in Turtle Creek Township on Sections 29;30;31;32) stands in the very section where Colonel Hardin was killed.
People
Husband to Jane Davies Hardin
Father of Congressman Martin D. Hardin
Grandfather of Congressman/Colonel John J. Hardin-killed at Battle of Buena Vista, Mexico.
Uncle of Congressman Benjamin Hardin
Family links:
Spouse:
Jane Davies Hardin (____ - 1828)*
*Calculated relationship
| | | Burial:
Grove Hill Cemetery
Shelbyville
Shelby County
Kentucky, USA |
Created by: Roger Leonard
Record added: Jun 22, 2011
Find A Grave Memorial# 71816379 |
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