Nancy and Chloe Flynn (daughter of John Flynn and Elizabeth Halstead) was born 1780 in Greenbrier County, WV, and died November 09, 1863 in SHELBY County, INDIANA.She married John (The Peddler) Ballard on Abt. 1798 in Greenbrier County,WV, son of Elijah Ballard and Amelia (Milly) Dohoney.
Includes NotesNotes for Chloe Flynn:
L.C. Draper Letters
Reeses Mills, Boone Co., Ind.
Mr. Draper, Dear Sir,
I received your letter but not in due time for I was aaway from home at that time you wished to know about my mother's captivity - all I know is as my mother has told me but I will give it to you as near as I can.
1st - My mother was seven years old when captured.
2nd - The tribe was the flathead nation, the number of the company was about fifteen, but I could not say who their leader was.
3rd - She was with them about 8 months.
4th - Colonel Boone made a treaty with them & got her from them but I could not say what kind.
5 - My father I think was born in 1779 or near that time & was 84 years old when he died. And my mother as well as I can recollect was just seven years younger than my father & she died in her 84th year. I was born in 1810, the 18 Oct, had three brothers older than me & one sister. Three brothers & two sisters younger. My mother was sixteen, or near that, when married. I have tried to answer your questions as near as I can. I am the only one of the children that is living in Missouri, the rest are dead. If you should make a book, I would like to have a copy of your work.
I remain your friend.
When your first letter came, I was about 75 miles further west - had not been to Waldron for three years.
Yours,
JF Ballard
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[Letter from Marine S Ballard]
Madison, Boone Co., Wva
Mr. Draper Sir,
I rec'd a letter from you in reflectance to the captivity of my grandmother by the Indians and her rescue by Daniel Boone in which you referred to a newspaper account by Mr. Hale of Kanawha County, West Virginia. I saw the same account and it is correct as I have always understood the case. My grandparents moved away from here when I was a small boy and I have no recollection of dates. I will give the names and PO addresses of persons that probably can give the desired information:
Boone Ballard, Bethany, Harrison Co., Missouri
John F Ballard, Waldron, Shelby Co., Indiana
St. Clair Ensminger, Shelbyville, Shelby Co., Indiana
Andrew Ensminger, Shelbyville, Shelby Co., Indiana
The Ballards named are sons of my grandmother and the others grand children. There is some old people in this county that I think would know some of the particulars of the case. I will see them and if so, will write to you. If you write to those mentioned tell them who gave you their address as they know me and will answer your letter more swiftly.
My name is,
M.S. Ballard, the older son of St. C. Ballard
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[Letter to Boone Ballard and John Ballard]
Nov 5, 1882
To: Boone Ballard, Bethany Mo and John F Ballard, Waldron, Ind.
1st: What were the names of the parents of Chloe Flinn – were they both killed and were others also killed?
2nd: What were the particulars of Chloe Flinn being taken – what was her age at the time?
3rd: When & where was she born?
4th: Where did her parents reside when she was captured?
5th: How many Indians composed the party, of what tribe and name of the leader?
6th: How far was Chloe Flinn taken before she was rescued, at what place was the rescue?
7th: Under what circumstances did Col. Boone hear of her captivity and how did he accomplish the rescue, and how many were with him?
8th: To whom was your mother married and when and where and at what ages did she and her husband die?
9th: How did the Indians treat her while with them and how long with them.
L.C.D.
Also sent the same in substance to St. Clair and Andrew Ensminger, grandsons of Chloe Flinn, both of Shelbyville, Ind.
Nov. 5, 82
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[Letter from Marine S. Ballard]
Madison, Boone Co., Wva
Nov 19th, 1882
Mr. Draper
Sir: I have delayed answering yours of the 5th expecting to see some old people in this county that I think know something about thecapture and rescue of my grandmother, but I have not seen them, as my business keeps me close at home. I will give their names: Andrew Kessinger and Nancy Ballard of this place. I will try to answer your questions to the best of my recollection.
1st: I think she was captured in Kanawha county this state on the Kanawha river, 25 miles above Charleston.
2nd I don't know what age she was when captured but I think she was very young some three or four years old.
3rd: She had no brother or sister killed; one brother was captured with her and staid with the Indians till grown and then settled some where in Ohio; his name was John Flinn. One sister hit in a sink hole in the ground and staid till the Indians left then went to Greenbriar County this state to a fort about sixty miles and give the news of what had happened.
4th: I know nothing about the number or the tribe of Indians.
5th: She was taken to Ohio but I don't know to what place; I don't think she was with the Indians very long.
6th: I can give no particulars of the rescue.
7th: I know nothing about how she was treated by the Indians.
8th: She was married to John Ballard; she and her husband died in Shelby County, Indiana.
9th: They moved to Indiana about 47 years back. I am fifty years old – my father mother was thirty-three years old when I was born and he was her second or third child, which would make her very old when she died, which was during the late war.
Yours,
M.S. Ballard
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[Letter from Boone Ballard]
Bethany, Harrison Co. Mo
Dec the 6, 1882
Mr Draper, Dear Sir: after some thought on the subject, I will endeavor to give you as near a correct history of my mothers captivity by the Indians as I can. In answer to 1st question: Chloe Flinn's parents names were John and Elizabeth. They lived near the mouth of cabin creek of on the Kanawha river. It seems that the old lady had a dream at night that caused uneasiness, and they all went out next morning to lay up some poles on the fence preparatory to going to the fort that day, when a band of Indians appeared. I am not prepared to give the number nor the name of the leader, but my understanding they were of the Cherokee tribe. They came upon them when in the act of laying a pole on the fence – shot the old man while they were all lifting at the pole; they captured the old lady and three children. 2 girls and a baby the 4th child, which was the oldest girl of the family, ran and fell into a sink hole and escaped. Chloe was 3 years old at the time of her capture. They kept her about one year. She never could much talk about the treatment; they took them all from West Virginia into Ohio I think. Col. Boone captured Chloe at or near the Siota River. I think he was pursuing in search of some other children and came near their camp and found her with some other small children playing on the outskirts – told her to jump on his back and he would take her home and she done it. He traveled with her for some distance, came to a steep precipice and to avoid pursuit managed to swing himself over into the water and by wading considrable escaped. Nancy was the other captive. She was older than mother; they kept her until she was about 20 years old and was married to a chief. She was discovered by some traders on the Ohio River somewhere near Maysville, decoyed on their boat and captured. John was the son's name; he stayed with them until grown and then became a trader with them followed that until he became to old, then settled on the Siota River and died there.
As regards the old lady's death there is nothing definite; they kept her with the children for some time after they went into Ohio and there was a party went out on a hunting expedition took her with them but she never returned; they reported that she died. The girls when recaptured were taken back to Virginia to their friends. Nancy, the oldest, married George Miller and lived here to ripe old age and moved to Missouri and died in Harrison county. Chloe married John Ballard, moved to Indiana in 33, lived and died there. Father died in '62, mother '63 – mother being about 75 and father 80 years of age.
Now Mr. Draper I have given you as correct a history of this narrative as my memory and health would permit you can take and paint it over and make the best of it you can. I would just say to you that I received a very nice little present in the way of a book and feel grateful to you for past favors but would feel moreso if when you get your history complete you would mail me a copy.
B. Ballard
[Boone Ballard]
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[Letter from Draper to Boone Ballard]
Feb. 14, 1883
I am much puzzled at your mother's age when captured and when she died. The account I have conflict much with each other.
1st. Have you any record of your mother's birth & death?
Your nephew, M.S. Ballard, says his father (your brother) St. Clair Ballard was home in 1800; that there were one or two older children than St. Clair. Andrew Kesinger writes that Chapman Ballard was born in 1799, St. Clair in 1802, you in 1804. I suppose he sort of guesses at these dates.
But if Chapman Ballard. Your older brother, was born about 1798, St. Clair in 1800 – then your father and mother must have been married about 1797 & supposing your mother was about sixteen when married that would fix her birth year about 1781. Mr. Kessinger says she was born in 1781 or 1782. You say she was 75 when she died in 1863 – that would fix her birth year in 1788 & would make her ten years old when Chapman was born then. That could not be.
At all events, you can see that I need some more accurate data to guide me – guess work in matters of history is not safe and leads to many errors.
You can at least tell me the date of your own birth & how many brothers and sisters you had older than yourself. Please name them in order of their birth years.
2nd. Where was your mother born?
3rd. How long was she detained in captivity?
4th. Were you named after Dan'l Boone because he rescued your mother from captivity? And was she accustomed to speak of Boone as the person who had rescued or redeemed her?
5th. What was your mother's age when married?
6th. Are there any surviving children, your cousins, of your mother's sisters - & of your uncle John Flinn. If so, give me there names and addresses.
7th. How far above the mouth of Cabin creek did your grandfather live, for which side of it.
Which was your nearest railroad station?
L.C.D.
8th. After your mother's return from captivity, with whom did she live & where? One account says she lived with Boone.
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Madison, Wva
Dec 29, 1882
L. C. Draper, Esq
Dear Sir,
Yours of the 14th past is at hand, below you will find information that I have in regard to this subject of your letter. I was born on the 12 day of January 1804, in the county of Monroe Va. My father was whose name was Matthias Kessinger was born in Monroe Va. My mother was a sister of John Ballard, who married Chloe Flinn, my grandfather and mother came from Germany; my grandfather was named Matthias Kesinger and my grandmothers maiden name was Juda Sipes – I first knew Chloe Flinn after she had married John Ballard when a small boy, living in Monroe County Va. John and Chloe had four male chldren: Chapman, St. Clair and Medley. Chapman was born in the year 1799, St. Clair 1802, Medley 1804 and Boone Ballard, named for Daniel Boone. Think from the best information that I have that Chloe Flinn was born about the year 1781 and was married to John Flinn about the year 1798. Chloe's father and mother were living on Cabin Creek then Greenbrier County, now Kanawha County, at the time of this capture and the killing of her father. Do not know the name of Chloe's father and mother; they had four children named respectively Polly, Nancy, John and Chloe. At the time of the capture, this father was killed was at the time engaged in putting up a pole on forks to hang clothes on after being washed. This mother, Nancy, John and Chloe were captured. Polly secreted herself in a hollow log and remained all night hav heard her say that during the night she imaged she heard the Indians walking about near her concealment, but was relieved by hearing a deer jump off and whistle. The next morning she being satisfied that the Indians were gone made her way down to Fort Donnally, about 10 miles below, about 1 or three miles above where the City of Charleston is now situated. Polly afterwards married Adam Mann in Monroe County Va where she lived until her death, my recollection now is that she has been dead about 30 years. Nancy Flinn was with the Indians severeal years, likely she was 16 or 17 years when she was taken from the Indians by a man by the name of Halstead in Ohio. He was a relation to the Flinns. At that time, she had married an Indian and was ---- by her Indian hsuband. After her return to Monroe County the child was born, a girl, who afterwards married Simeon Jarrell, and lived about 2 miles above this place on Little Coal River when she lived & died. Her name was Elizabeth. Nancy after her return to Monroe Co. Va married a man by the name of George Miller and moved to Coal River a short distance from here. About the year 1830 they moved to Jackson Co., Ohio. I went with them to assit them in moving. Miller and his wife afterwareds moved to Missouri; they are both dead. John Flinn remained with the Indians in Ohio until peace was made with them. He then --- there the Indians giving him a --- tract of land. He afterwards accumulated considerable property. Chloe Flinn was married to John Ballard in Monroe or Kanawha County and moved afterwards to Coal River near here thence to Indiana, Shelby County. Chloe was very small when she was captured. My understanding has been that Daniel Boone exchanged a male Indian for her in Ohio. At the time she was exchanged she was setting on a bear skin. Boone brought her back to Kanawha and gave her to a man by the name of Slaughter, who raised her. I have visited the spot where Flinn was killed on Cabin Creek. When I was young I have listened with great nterest to Nancy Flinn who married Geo. Miller, relating her life among the Indians. She could make a nice mocasin, made a pair and presented to me. I think it was the Shawnees that captured the Flinns, but I am not certain having given you a brief account of my recollections of history of the Flinn family as I learned it many years ago.
Yours truly,
Andrew Kesinger
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[Letter to Andrew Kessinger]
To Andrew Kessinger – Jan. 12, 1883
1st: At the time of this attack on the Flinns were there other families residing on Cabin Creek? And how far above the mouth of the Creek on which side did the Flinns live?
2nd: Can you describe the locality where Flinn lived – whether in a valley or on upland?
3rd: Can you refer me to any surviving children of Polly Flinn, afterwards Mrs. Mann; and Elizabeth (Nancy's daughter) afterwards, Mrs. Simeon Jarrell (if I read your letter right) and of Mrs. Nancy Miller and John Flinn in Ohio?
4th: If you can recall anything further about Col. Daniel Boone's going after Chloe Flinn – where he went to to get her, and how long she was a prisoner, and how old when released, whether any one went with Boone on this trip – or anything else connected with the Boone's journey? Or was the exchange for her effected at Maysville, Ky where Indians would sometimes bring their prisoners and where Boone lived before moving to the Kanawha country?
5th Can you refer me to any of the Slaughter family who raised Chloe or at least tell me where the lived?
L.C.D.
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[Letter to Andrew Kessinger]
To Andrew Kessinger – Jan. 12, 1883
1st: At the time of this attack on the Flinns were there other families residing on Cabin Creek? And how far above the mouth of the Creek on which side did the Flinns live?
2nd: Can you describe the locality where Flinn lived – whether in a valley or on upland?
3rd: Can you refer me to any surviving children of Polly Flinn, afterwards Mrs. Mann; and Elizabeth (Nancy's daughter) afterwards, Mrs. Simeon Jarrell (if I read your letter right) and of Mrs. Nancy Miller and John Flinn in Ohio?
4th: If you can recall anything further about Col. Daniel Boone's going after Chloe Flinn – where he went to to get her, and how long she was a prisoner, and how old when released, whether any one went with Boone on this trip – or anything else connected with the Boone's journey? Or was the exchange for her effected at Maysville, Ky where Indians would sometimes bring their prisoners and where Boone lived before moving to the Kanawha country?
5th Can you refer me to any of the Slaughter family who raised Chloe or at least tell me where the lived?
L.C.D.
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[Letter from Andrew Kessinger]
Madison, Wva
April 23rd, 1883
L.C. Draper,
Dear Sir,
Yours of the 12th Jany and also of the 5 Mch have been received. I beg to say that I should have answered your letter after 12 January past but delayed to answer expecting to get something --- in regard to the capture of the Flinn family. In answer to your interrogation I will say:
1st: From the best information that I have --- -- to gather no other families on Cabin creek at the time of the capture of the Flinn family. It was on Cabin creek a number of years ago and the spot was pointed out to me where Mr. Flinn's Cabin stood. This was about the year 1833 when I was there a man by the name of Charlie Spurlock was living near the spot, took me to the ground where the Cabin stood there remained the chimney was plain there to be seen. Nothing but a pile of rock of which the chimney was built remained to mark the spot. This was about one half miles distant from Kanawha River on the Cabin Creek. On the right side of the creek as you asceneded the Creek, the Cabin had been built in a bottom or valley between the hill and the brook. I was well acquainted with Polly Flinn, who married Adam Mann – Chloe Flinn who married John Ballard, and Nancy Flinn who married George Miller. Polly Flinn was not captured by the Indians. She secreted in a hollow log until the Indians were gone. She then went to Donally's Fort. The Indians killed John Flinn, the father of the children, and took the mother whose name I do not now recollect, and her daughters Chloe and Nancy, and her son John, prisoners. Chloe was very young, could not have been over two or three years old. Nancy was young, but old enough to remember – I remember of her saying that her mother disappeared and she could not --- what the Indians did with her but suppose they killed her. John Flinn, son of John Flinn, who was captured by the Indians was taken to Ohio there he stayed with the Indians until a man. Was made I think he lived near Chilicothe. He was out in Monroe Co. Va to see his people, my mother spoke of seeing him, said he could not speak English well. Spoke language of Indians mostly. Nancy was stolen from the Indians by a man by the name of Halstead and brought back to her friends. She had married an Indian and after her return she had a daughter whom she named Elizabeh. I do not know of any children of Polly Mann living except Jo. Mann who was alive a few years ago. Do not know where he is now. Do not know of any the children of Chloe, Nancy or John living. Think they are all gone. I have no definite information or recollection about how Boone got the --- of Chloe, but that which I unto your heretofore. Cannot now recollect when she was when the exchange was made. ---------- I have heard that she was stolen by Boone and his comrades. This Slaughter family are all gone – do not know of any of the family living.
I daw an article written by J.P. Hale published in the West Virginia School Journal February, 1883, gives a very interesting account of D. Boone and the Flinn family, but I think it is some reprint incorrect, a copy of which ---- to the State Superintendent of Schoools, Wheeling Wva.
I have been trying to get information as you desired have done the best that I could accept my think for the book should I be able to get any information, I will write it to you.
Yours Truly,
Andrew Kessinger.
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[Letter from Andrew Kessinger]
Madison, Wva
Aug 20, 1883
Lyman C Draper, Esq.
Dear Sir,
Your of the 1---- has been received. Have delayed to answer trying to get all the information possible. In reply I will give you all the information I can outside that heretofore given you. 1st from the best information I can get Chloe Flinn was born about the 1782, was married about the year 1798. Amd doed 1863. Chapman Ballard, the older son of Chloe Flinn, was brn in 1799.
2nd: Do not know any thing further in relation to Jo. Mann.
3rd: Names of children of Chapman Ballard: Ryland Ballard, Henley Ballard, Elizabeth Smoot, Lucy Hager, all of whom reside near Madison, Boone County, Wva.
Chloe Henley, another child of Chapman Ballard; she lives now on Field Creek in Kanawha County, Wva.
4th: Elizabeth Jarrell has three children surviving her. Mr. Thomas Nelson, Sallie Jarrell and John Jarrell. PO address Madison, Boone County, Wva.
5th: Don't know the given name of Slaughter, think it was Reuben.
6th: Have no traditions of Col. Boone further than heretofore given.
7th: Nancy Ballard cannot give any tradition of Boone.
8th: There is a man by the name of John B. Miller, whose PO address is Bald Knob, Boone County, West Va. Write to him; likely he can give information on the Flinn family.
Yours Truly,
Andrew Kessinger
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[Letter to Andrew Kessinger]
Aug 26, 1883
To Andrew Kessinger
1. Did the Flinns live in Monroe Co. Va before settling on Cabin Creek?
2. Were there children, or some of them, born in Monroe County?
3. How long have they been living on Cabin creek when attacked by Indians?
4. Have you any recollection of hearing what time of the year it was when attacked? I judge it was in the Fall.
5. I infer Nancy Flinn was four and John Flinn two years older than Chloe. If you think differently, state it.
6. Did Slaughter live at Point Pleasant – or Monroe County, or where?
7. About what year did Mrs. Nancy Miller die – or what was her age?
I will write to Ryland Ballard as the oldest of Chapman Ballard's children and to John Jarrell – urge the latter to reply.
8. Had Chloe Flinn Ballard a daughter older than Chapman Ballard.
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[Letter From Andrew Kessinger]
Madison, Wva
Spl. 14, 1884
L.C. Draper, Esq
Dear Sir,
Yours of the 31 ult. Is at hand. IN reply I will say in answer to 1st that I do not know whether Mr. Flinn lived in Monroe Co. before living on Cabin Creek or not. I think he died and was but a short time on Cabin Creek, And to 3rd question I have no idea from any circumstance what time in the year the attack was ade.
4th I do not know where Ruben Slaughter lived – at Point Pleasant or not.
5th Cannot get at the year in which Nancy Miller died. She died in Mo. Write to Boone Ballard.
6th Do not know Kemper Jarrell. Do not know of Nancy Miller writing any account of her captivity. Adam Miller, a son of Nancy Miller lives in the neighborhood of Boone Ballard. Write to Boone. Do not know of anything additional.
Yours Truly
Andrew Kessinger
John B Miller, a son of Nancy Miller, lives in Boone Co., Wva. Write to him at Bald Knob
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[Lyman Draper's notes]
The autumn of 1786 was the time of her capture, but her return is uncertain. L.C.D.
She was doubtless given up at the Limestone Treaty – May 1787 or brought in not very long after; lived with Col. Dl. Boone at Limestone till the Fall of 1788, when he went up to Point Pleasant with ginseng, Lee vol. Of Boone notes, p. 333, as fixing this date.
Speaking of this trip to Point Pleasant, in the Fall of 1788, and sinking of boat and getting his ginseng wet, Col. Nathan Boone, who was along and then in his 8th year, says: (L.C.D.)
Reaching Point Pleasant, by John Van Bibber's invitation, Co. Boone & family went and stopped a while at his house, while Col. Boone was getting the boat and cargo in readiness to rescue his journey. Left a little girl at Van Bibbers whom Col. Boone had brought up from Maysville, where she was delivered up from captivity by the Indians , probably at the treaty of 1787, and had since lived in his family. Her name was Chloe Flinn, some ten years old, who had been taken prisoner from Greenbrier, when she was subsequently sent to her frines.
Boone Notes, 1851
P.S. since noting the above I am confirmed in 1786 as the time when Chloe Flinn was captured and in the Fall of that year, by …..thence captured in October in the cornfield, doubless gathering corn
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