Samuel South
Encyclopedia
Samuel South was born circa 1770 in Maryland
. He was the second son of John South. The South family moved to Boonesborough
when Samuel was still young. At the time, Boonesborough was in Fayette County
in the District of Kentucky, a part of the state of Virginia
. John South was in command of the militia
at Boonesborough.
When South was twelve years old, he and another boy of about the same age were sent by the women of Fort Boonesborough to call back the men of the fort for its defense after seeing Indians
in the area. South and his companion traveled through the woods for two days to find the men, who were engaged in the defense of Estill's Station. When the men returned to the fort on March 21, 1782, the Indians attacked in what became known as the Battle of Little Mountain
or "Estill's Defeat". South's older brother, John, Jr., was killed in the battle. Following this battle, South enlisted as a private
in his father's company
, serving until the end of the Revolutionary War
.
After Kentucky
became a state in 1792, South was commissioned a captain in the state militia. In this capacity, he participated in several campaigns against the Indians. By the outbreak of the War of 1812
, he had risen to colonel
of the Kentucky Mounted Volunteers. He participated in both the Battle of the Thames
and the Battle of New Orleans
. For bravery at the Battle of New Orleans, he received a brevet
to the rank of brigadier general
. Years after the war, Richard Mentor Johnson
called on South to verify his claim that he (Johnson) had killed the Shawnee
chief Tecumseh
at the Battle of the Thames.
Following the war, South was made a justice of the peace
in Madison County, Kentucky
. He represented the county in the Kentucky General Assembly
for thirteen years, serving at various times in both houses. On one occasion, he fell just one vote short of becoming Speaker of the House, losing the position to Henry Clay
. He was elected state treasurer
in 1818 and served until 1824. He died at the home of his father-in-law, John Glover, in Fayette County in 1833. He was buried in the Glover family cemetery.
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. He was the second son of John South. The South family moved to Boonesborough
Boonesborough, Kentucky
Boonesborough is an unincorporated community in Madison County, Kentucky, United States. It lies in the central part of the state along the Kentucky River. Boonesborough is part of the Richmond–Berea Micropolitan Statistical Area....
when Samuel was still young. At the time, Boonesborough was in Fayette County
Fayette County, Kentucky
Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 295,083 in the 2010 Census. Its territory, population and government are coextensive with the city of Lexington, which also serves as county seat....
in the District of Kentucky, a part of the state of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. John South was in command of the militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
at Boonesborough.
When South was twelve years old, he and another boy of about the same age were sent by the women of Fort Boonesborough to call back the men of the fort for its defense after seeing Indians
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
in the area. South and his companion traveled through the woods for two days to find the men, who were engaged in the defense of Estill's Station. When the men returned to the fort on March 21, 1782, the Indians attacked in what became known as the Battle of Little Mountain
Battle of Little Mountain
The Battle of Little Mountain, also known as Estill's Defeat, was fought on March 22, 1782, near Mount Sterling in what is now Montgomery County, Kentucky...
or "Estill's Defeat". South's older brother, John, Jr., was killed in the battle. Following this battle, South enlisted as a private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
in his father's company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
, serving until the end of the Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
.
After Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
became a state in 1792, South was commissioned a captain in the state militia. In this capacity, he participated in several campaigns against the Indians. By the outbreak of the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, he had risen to colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
of the Kentucky Mounted Volunteers. He participated in both the Battle of the Thames
Battle of the Thames
The Battle of the Thames, also known as the Battle of Moraviantown, was a decisive American victory in the War of 1812. It took place on October 5, 1813, near present-day Chatham, Ontario in Upper Canada...
and the Battle of New Orleans
Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans took place on January 8, 1815 and was the final major battle of the War of 1812. American forces, commanded by Major General Andrew Jackson, defeated an invading British Army intent on seizing New Orleans and the vast territory the United States had acquired with the...
. For bravery at the Battle of New Orleans, he received a brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
to the rank of brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
. Years after the war, Richard Mentor Johnson
Richard Mentor Johnson
Richard Mentor Johnson was the ninth Vice President of the United States, serving in the administration of Martin Van Buren . He was the only vice-president ever elected by the United States Senate under the provisions of the Twelfth Amendment. Johnson also represented Kentucky in the U.S...
called on South to verify his claim that he (Johnson) had killed the Shawnee
Shawnee
The Shawnee, Shaawanwaki, Shaawanooki and Shaawanowi lenaweeki, are an Algonquian-speaking people native to North America. Historically they inhabited the areas of Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Western Maryland, Kentucky, Indiana, and Pennsylvania...
chief Tecumseh
Tecumseh
Tecumseh was a Native American leader of the Shawnee and a large tribal confederacy which opposed the United States during Tecumseh's War and the War of 1812...
at the Battle of the Thames.
Following the war, South was made a justice of the peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
in Madison County, Kentucky
Madison County, Kentucky
Madison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2008, the population was 82,192. Its county seat is Richmond. The county is named for Virginia statesman James Madison, who later became the fourth President of the United States. This is also where famous pioneer Daniel...
. He represented the county in the Kentucky General Assembly
Kentucky General Assembly
The Kentucky General Assembly, also called the Kentucky Legislature, is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Kentucky.The General Assembly meets annually in the state capitol building in Frankfort, Kentucky, convening on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January...
for thirteen years, serving at various times in both houses. On one occasion, he fell just one vote short of becoming Speaker of the House, losing the position to Henry Clay
Henry Clay
Henry Clay, Sr. , was a lawyer, politician and skilled orator who represented Kentucky separately in both the Senate and in the House of Representatives...
. He was elected state treasurer
Kentucky State Treasurer
The Kentucky State Treasurer is elected every 4 years. The treasurer, who can serve two terms, acts as the state's chief elected fiscal officer. The salary of the state treasurer is $110,000 a year...
in 1818 and served until 1824. He died at the home of his father-in-law, John Glover, in Fayette County in 1833. He was buried in the Glover family cemetery.