BLACK, George - Sr. and Family - Putnam

11. GEORGE BLACK was born in Augusta County, Virginia, July 8, 1775. He spent his boyhood in the Cowpasture River settlement in what is now Bath County and was a lad of seventeen when his parents moved to Clark County, Kentucky. He returned to Bath County a few years later where in 1796 he married Elizabeth Miller, daughter of Patrick Miller. He and his wife must have gone to Kentucky soon after the marriage for a few years later he was living in Montgomery County, Kentucky where he spent the greater part of his life in and around Mt. Sterling. During the War of 1812, when the news of Hull's surrender reached Kentucky, Governor Shelby raised an army of five thousand volunteers, most of them mounted, and with them moved across the Ohio for the Canadian frontier. George Black was in this group of Kentucky horsemen and served as a private in the company of Captain James Mason of the Second Regiment, commanded by Colonel John Donaldson of Clark County. He took an active part in the battle of the "Thames" fought October 5, 1813 in which General Harrison defeated the British and Indians near the Thames river in Canada. It was this group of daring Kentucky horsemen that played such an important part in the battle, and succeeded in killing the Indian Chief, Tecumseh. According to tradition George Black was awarded the silver breast plate and knee buckles, from the fallen Chief Tecumseh, for bravery in this battle. George Black became the owner of considerable land in Montgomery County. He was an ardent and devoted church worker, and was a man of considerable importance around Mt. Sterling. He was an ardent patriot and was always ready to fight for the freedom and defense of his country. In the latter part of his life he always went by the title of "Major."

His wife, Elizabeth, who was born May 4, 1774, died February 14, 1831, and was probably buried at or near Mt. Sterling. In 1857 Major George left Kentucky and went to Putnam County, Indiana where he spent the remainder of his years with his sons who lived there. He died Sept. 24, 1859 and was buried in the Greencastle Cemetery, Putnam County, Indiana. George and Elizabeth had the following children.

41 Miller born November 9, 1800 42 Alexander born February 11,1803 43 Andrew born July 1, 1807 44 Albert 45 a daughter married William H. Young 46 a daughter 47 a daughter

(George & his wife, Elizabeth were 1st cousins)