Silas Harlan | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 17, 1753 |
| Died | August 19, 1782 (aged 29) |
| Burial place | Blue Licks State Park Cemetery, Robertson County, Kentucky |
| Occupation(s) | Soldier, pioneer, surveyor, frontiersman, scout, longhunter |
| Known for | Harlan County, Kentucky |
| Relatives | Jacob Harlan (uncle) Capt. James Harlan (brother) Rep. James Harlan (nephew) John Marshall Harlan (great-nephew)
|
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch |  Kentucky Militia |
| Service | 1774–1782 (8 years) |
| Rank | Major |
| Commands | Illinois Campaigns of 1779 Battle of Chillicothe Battle of Blue Licks |
| Wars | American Revolution American Indian Wars |
Silas Harlan (March 17, 1753 – August 19, 1782) was one of the early settlers of Kentucky, having arrived with James Harrod in 1774 to found Harrodstown – the oldest permanent white settlement in the territory (now Harrodsburg).[1][2] Silas spent the majority of the American Revolution on the frontier fighting against the Indians, however, near the end of his life, he served under George Rogers Clark through the Illinois Campaigns of 1779 and died at the Battle of Blue Licks on August 19, 1782, fighting a mixed band of Natives, Loyalists and British troops.
Following his death, Silas' fiancée, Sarah Caldwell, married his brother James and was the grandmother of U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Marshall Harlan.[2][3]
Harlan County, Kentucky is named in honor of Silas Harlan.[4]
- ^ Kleber, John E. (January 13, 2015). The Kentucky Encyclopedia. University Press of Kentucky. p. 408. ISBN 9780813159010.
- ^ a b Yarbrough, Tinsley E. (March 12, 1992). John Marshall Harlan: Great Dissenter of the Warren Court. Oxford University Press. p. 3. ISBN 9780195362978.
- ^ Green III, James S. (1964). Major Silas Harlan: His Life and Times. Baxter KY. p. 83.
- ^ Rennick, Robert (1987). Kentucky Place Names. University Press of Kentucky. p. 131. ISBN 0813126312.