The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
Author: Thomas G Herwer
James Robertson was born 1759 in Albemarle County, Virginia. In the fall of 1779, the 20 year old James accompanied his father James Sr. and brother Mathew to Kennedy’s Station, Kentucky The Robertson brothers were among a North Carolina militia, in a Company commanded by Capt. Philip Raiford, whom responded to the Kentuckians’ call for Aid.
In the winter 1779, James arrived at Paint Lick Creek located deep in the Kentucky wilderness. The following spring, the brothers volunteered to serve with the Kentucky Militia under Captain John Kennedy, a part of Colonel Benjamin Logan’s Regiment. James assisted with building Fort Kennedy Station, located in present day Garrard County. He spent three long years guarding and defending this fort serving at various times, as an Indian Spy and Private under Captains John Kennedy, George Adams, John Woods, Lieutenant Joseph Kennedy and Colonel Benjamin Logan in the Virginia Troops. He was called upon to observe Indian activity. When the Indians terrorized local settlers, Fort Kennedy Station militus was ordered to retake any prisoners of property. He was in two expeditions (and engagements) against the Shawnee Indians on the Miami River and across the Ohio River, under General George Rogers Clark.
In August 1782, James accompanied Logan’s regiment to Bryan Station in Lexington, Kentucky. The regiment was to assist Col. Trigg and Col. Todd with a looming confrontation with the British at the Battle of Blue Lick. The British Commander, Capt Caldwell, and the “British Indians” ambushed and killed 177 Kentucky soldiers. James joined the defeated militia during the retreat to Bryan Station and stayed among many brave soldiers including Col. Daniel Boone. James later joined General George Rogers Clark’s 1,000 man campaign against the Shawnee in the Miami River Valley. The Militia decimated the Shawnee and destroyed all the villages.
Indian spy Robertson was ordered back to Fort Kennedy Station and took his post until relative peace with the British. In 1874, he was released from service without a formal discharge. Afterwards, the Robertson brothers and father remained in Lincoln County, Kentucky and engaged in farming and working for the County in various capacities. On May 20, 1789, James married Elizabeth “Betsy” Nicholson at Madison County, Kentucky. To their union were 13 children. During the year 1812, James moved his entire family by flatboat down the Ohio River, landing at Stevenport in Breckinridge County, Kentucky where he purchased 200 acres of land near Lodiburg. James was appointed as a surveyor and paid to oversee various road projects for Breckinridge County. James and Betsy lived in Lodiburg for the rest of their lives. At the age of 73, James was granted pension of $60.00 for service in the Revolutionary War. James died in 1836 and Betsy in 1845. They are buried at the old Robertson cemetery marked with fieldstones.
Author: Lt George Thomas Gillespie USA
JAMES ROBERTSON
The final resting place of James Robertson is in the Old Robertson Cemetery, located at coordinated 37-.89885 x -86.37912. The cemetery is in a private forest located between the villages of Lodiburg and Webster in Breckenridge County, Kentucky. There are 6 tonbstones with inscriptions. There may be more than 40 unmarked fieldstone markers within the cemetery.
P-280180
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