Spier Spencer
Encyclopedia
Captain Spier Spencer was an Indiana
militia officer who commanded a company of mounted riflemen known as the Yellow Jackets
at the Battle of Tippecanoe
. Spencer County, Indiana
was named in his honor.
A native of Virginia
, Spencer moved to Kentucky with his parents. He married Elizabeth Polk, daughter of Capt. Charles Polk, in Bardstown
, Nelson County, Kentucky
on January 18, 1793. Spencer and his wife moved to Vincennes, Indiana
. In 1809 Spencer was appointed by Governor William Henry Harrison
as the first sheriff of Harrison County, Indiana
. He moved his family to Corydon
and served in that office until his death.
Spencer and his wife ran "The Green Leaf Tavern," in their large log home on Oak Street. Governor William Henry Harrison
and Lieutenant Governor Ratliff Boon
stayed there when they came on official business, as did delegates to the 1806 Indiana Constitution Convention.
When tensions between the settlers and the Native Americans
became serious, Spier Spencer organized a Harrison County mounted militia company known as the "Yellow Jackets" for their uniforms. They would engage in a campaign against the Shawnee Indians under Governor Harrison. Spencer was seriously wounded in the head and thighs during the November 7, 1811 Battle of Tippecanoe
. As he was being carried to safety, he was struck and killed by another musket ball.
Spencer's death was described by General Harrison in his report to the secretary of war on the 18th of November:
"...Spencer was wounded in the head. He exhorted his men to fight valiantly. He was shot through both thighs and fell; still continuing to encourage them, he was raised up, and received a ball through his body, which put an immediate end to his existence..."
Spencer and his men were praised for their bravery by General Harrison.
In 1818, Spencer County, Indiana, was named for him, as was in 1820 the town of Spencer, Indiana
in Owen County
. Spencer County, Kentucky
was created and named for him in 1824.
Spencer's widow continued operating The Green Leaf Tavern. When she married William Boone, she changed the name to the "Billy Boone Tavern". However, he marriage was short lived and she divorced Boone in 1829.
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
militia officer who commanded a company of mounted riflemen known as the Yellow Jackets
Yellow Jackets (Indiana)
The Yellow Jackets were a mounted militia company from Harrison County in the Indiana Territory. The company numbered sixty men and officers and saw action as part of the expeditionary force dispatched to put down the American Indian uprising during Tecumseh's War...
at the Battle of Tippecanoe
Battle of Tippecanoe
The Battle of Tippecanoe was fought on November 7, 1811, between United States forces led by Governor William Henry Harrison of the Indiana Territory and Native American warriors associated with the Shawnee leader Tecumseh. Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa were leaders of a confederacy of...
. Spencer County, Indiana
Spencer County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 20,391 people, 7,569 households, and 5,752 families residing in the county. The population density was 51 people per square mile . There were 8,333 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile...
was named in his honor.
A native 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...
, Spencer moved to Kentucky with his parents. He married Elizabeth Polk, daughter of Capt. Charles Polk, in Bardstown
Bardstown, Kentucky
As of the census of 2010, there were 11,700 people, 4,712 households, and 2,949 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 5,113 housing units at an average density of...
, Nelson County, Kentucky
Nelson County, Kentucky
Nelson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2010, the population was 43,437. Its county seat is Bardstown. The county is part of the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
on January 18, 1793. Spencer and his wife moved to Vincennes, Indiana
Vincennes, Indiana
Vincennes is a city in and the county seat of Knox County, Indiana, United States. It is located on the Wabash River in the southwestern part of the state. The population was 18,701 at the 2000 census...
. In 1809 Spencer was appointed by Governor William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison was the ninth President of the United States , an American military officer and politician, and the first president to die in office. He was 68 years, 23 days old when elected, the oldest president elected until Ronald Reagan in 1980, and last President to be born before the...
as the first sheriff of Harrison County, Indiana
Harrison County, Indiana
Harrison County is a county located in the far southern part of the U.S. state of Indiana along the Ohio River. It is divided into twelve townships, and the county seat is Corydon, the former capital of Indiana. The county is part of the larger Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–IN Metropolitan...
. He moved his family to Corydon
Corydon, Indiana
Corydon is a town in Harrison Township, Harrison County, Indiana, United States, founded in 1808, and is known as Indiana's First State Capital. After Vincennes, Corydon was the second capital of the Indiana Territory from May 1, 1813, until December 11, 1816. After statehood, the town was the...
and served in that office until his death.
Spencer and his wife ran "The Green Leaf Tavern," in their large log home on Oak Street. Governor William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison was the ninth President of the United States , an American military officer and politician, and the first president to die in office. He was 68 years, 23 days old when elected, the oldest president elected until Ronald Reagan in 1980, and last President to be born before the...
and Lieutenant Governor Ratliff Boon
Ratliff Boon
Ratliff Boon was the second Governor of Indiana from September 12 to December 5, 1822, taking office following the resignation of Governor Jonathan Jennings' after his election to Congress...
stayed there when they came on official business, as did delegates to the 1806 Indiana Constitution Convention.
When tensions between the settlers and the Native Americans
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...
became serious, Spier Spencer organized a Harrison County mounted militia company known as the "Yellow Jackets" for their uniforms. They would engage in a campaign against the Shawnee Indians under Governor Harrison. Spencer was seriously wounded in the head and thighs during the November 7, 1811 Battle of Tippecanoe
Battle of Tippecanoe
The Battle of Tippecanoe was fought on November 7, 1811, between United States forces led by Governor William Henry Harrison of the Indiana Territory and Native American warriors associated with the Shawnee leader Tecumseh. Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa were leaders of a confederacy of...
. As he was being carried to safety, he was struck and killed by another musket ball.
Spencer's death was described by General Harrison in his report to the secretary of war on the 18th of November:
"...Spencer was wounded in the head. He exhorted his men to fight valiantly. He was shot through both thighs and fell; still continuing to encourage them, he was raised up, and received a ball through his body, which put an immediate end to his existence..."
Spencer and his men were praised for their bravery by General Harrison.
In 1818, Spencer County, Indiana, was named for him, as was in 1820 the town of Spencer, Indiana
Spencer, Indiana
Spencer is a town in Washington Township, Owen County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,217 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Owen County.Spencer is part of the Bloomington, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
in Owen County
Owen County, Indiana
Owen County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana, and determined by the U.S. Census Bureau to include the mean center of U.S. population in 1920. As of 2010, the population was 21,575...
. Spencer County, Kentucky
Spencer County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,766 people, 4,251 households, and 3,358 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 4,555 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 97.50% White, 1.13% Black or African American, 0.22% Native...
was created and named for him in 1824.
Spencer's widow continued operating The Green Leaf Tavern. When she married William Boone, she changed the name to the "Billy Boone Tavern". However, he marriage was short lived and she divorced Boone in 1829.