Becoming Logan and Gard
Chapter Five: New Frontiers and the Western Front
1775 to 1800
William Logan, his siblings, Agnes (Nancy McCown) and their Children:
Hugh, Margaret, James, William, Jane, Agnes, Benjamin, Jerusha and Chatherine
A wedding and a new settlement
On The first of August 1775 in Botetourt Virginia (southern Shenandoah valley) William Logan, son of David and Jane Logan, married Agnes McCown, daughter of Frances and Margaret McCown, uniting these two families.[i] For the marriage to proceed William was required to sign a marriage bond (image below). In it he was “held and firmly bound unto our Sovereign Lord King George the Third in the sum of Fifty pounds Current Money of Virginia”. This declaration is interesting as we are now 4 months into what is viewed as the start of the Revolutionary War.
The direction of William and Agnes’s life was greatly impacted by the Transylvania Company. In 1775, the company purchased all the land between the Cumberland and the Kentucky rivers for 10,000 pounds. They then hired Daniel Boone lead an expedition cut the “Wilderness Road” which ran from the Cumberland Gap into the interior of Kentucky (at this time part of Virginia). [ii]
William’s brother Benjamin Logan headed west shortly after this expedition, in the spring of 1775. He likely was encouraged by the Virgina government who offered 400 acres of land to anyone who would go to Kentucky, build a cabin, and raise a crop of corn.[iii] With that as motivation, he went westward and “when Logan reached the level lands he stopped and chose a location for settlement”. This settlement became St. Asaph and was the 3rd permanent settlement in Kentucky (modern day Stanford).[iv]
In the mid to late 1770s Benjamin Logan was followed by many of his siblings including: our ancestor William Logan,[v] John Logan, [vi] Hugh Logan,[vii] Nathaniel Logan[viii] and his sister Mary Logan, now married to Samuel Briggs.[ix]
William Logan arrived in 1776 and was granted the land in 1779.
A new county
On the 31st of December 1776, the Virginia General Assembly passed an act forming Kentucky County.[x] They also formed the Kentucky Militia. The Militia was needed to protect against the Shawnee who were hired by the British to fight the war for them.[xi]
To support the war effort and to provide protection for his and other families living in St. Asaph Benjamin rallied the other settlers to build a fort. The first structure was a 90×150’ log fort with gates at each end. It was completed and occupied in February of 1777.[xii]
Logans in the war
In 1779, William Logan joined the Kentucky Militia serving under Captain Benjamin Logan and Lieutenant John Logan, both his brothers.[xiii] [1] This militia had been active for a few years.
In the spring of 1777 Kentucky was a dangerous place to live, and as a result many inhabitants left. Wanting to shore up the defenses, they had Major George Rogers Clark take charge of the Kentucky Militia who put Benjamin in command of St. Asaph.[xiv] In response, “Capt. Ben Logan made great preparation against the Indians. He dug a deep ditch from the fort to the Spring and covered it all over so that water could be got in a pinch.” It is good that he did prepare, as on May 20th, 1777, the main body of the Shawnees reached the fort while “women were outside the stockade milking.[xv]” Seeing danger all fled to the gate. Most got back safe, but one man was killed and two injured.[xvi] The accounts differ on what happened next, but all agree that Benjamin Logan put himself in harm’s way by running out, dodging bullets and helping Harrison return to the safety of the fort.
Agnes Logan (McCown) in the war:
What follows is a family story passed down from Agnes’s daughter, Agnes Witt (nee Logan).[xvii] The story claims that in 1777 Agnes was in Harrodsburg Kentucky when the fort was captured. Agnes was forced to run the “gauntlet”. She was informed that if she made it to the end without falling, all prisoners would be released, if not they would be taken away. She placed her infant son Hugh in the arms of another woman and made her attempt. Running the gauntlet involved running between two rows of the Shawnee who would strike out at her with sticks and other weapons. Somehow, she succeeded, but when her fellow prisoners went to assist her, they found that one eye had been scooped out with a powder horn. It is not known why Agnes was in Harrodsburg at that time.
Settling and fighting in Kentucky – 1779
William and Agnes raised all nine of their children at Logan’s Station.[2] This included our ancestor William Logan (who we will call William Jr. to distinguish him from his father).[xviii] There are no birth records, therefore we can only estimate dates of birth for William Jr. who was born sometime between 1781 and 1790[xix].
Prior to William receiving his land grant, he was involved in a campaign. Colonel Bowman, who had taken over Kentucky Militia, decided to take the initiative against the Shawnee. His army marched in three divisions, one led by Captain Benjamin Logan (St. Asaph), one by Captain John Holder (Boonesborough) and finally one by Captain William Harrod. Benjamin’s division included 3 Lieutenants (one being his brother John Logan), 4 Ensigns and 91 Sergeants, including William Logan and his brother-in-law, Samuel Briggs, who was married to Mary Logan. [xx]
Col. Bowman led his army across the Ohio river and “struck through the country, reaching the Shawanese capital, Chillicothe, during the night, and without the knowledge of the Indians.”[xxi] The goal was for the three divisions to attack from three different spots, but someone in Holder’s division shot their gun before Logan’s and Harrod’s divisions were in place. This allowed the Shawnee to fortify, turning the attack into a siege and one that they could not sustain as they were outflanked by the well-fortified Shawnees. Bowman ordered a retreat and after burning 20 cabins, cutting all the growing corn and stealing 130 horses, they fled.[xxii]
The Shawnee pursued them all day as they retreated. To provide relief, Benjamin Logan and “a number of men mounted the captured horses, and, when the Indians next appeared, this cavalry charged them, and drove them back, thus ending the pursuit.”[xxiii]
Life in Lincoln County
In 1780 the county of Kentucky was broken into Lincoln, Jefferson and Fayette Counties, St. Asaph was and remains in Lincoln County. This is also the year of one of the worst winters on record in the USA, starting in November 1779 and lasting until March 1780. “Ice and snow covered the ground the entire time, the deepest rivers were frozen solid.”[xxiv] Without the modern convenience of insulation and central heat, these resourceful people were cut off from the rest of the world and had to provide for themselves.
After the war, Lincoln County established itself as a community. William’s brothers Benjamin and John were both appointed justices of the peace for the Lincoln County court. Benjamin also provided 10 acres of his land to build the courthouse in St. Asaph. It was used until 1787 when it moved into the town of Stanford.[xxv] In another sign of progress, in 1790 thanks to a land donation from Mary Briggs (Logan) a small log Presbyterian church was built.[xxvi]
In 1785 his brothers, Benjamin and John Logan became focused on formally separating and creating the state of Kentucky. They attended the General Assembly of 1785.[xxvii] In this session the house “acknowledged as imminent” the separation of Virginia and Kentucky.[xxviii] Though it took 7 years, but in 1792, Kentucky became a state. Their brother, brother, John Logan, was elected the state’s first Treasurer.[xxix]
William was also involved in the community. In 1783 court ordered William Logan to “view and report to the next Court the nearest and most convenient way for a Road to be opened”. This road was from the Licking River to St. Asaph. To better understand William’s activities, we turn to his will.[3] He was a farmer who did well. By the time he passed he had enough to give away his farming utensils, six head of milk cows, a steer, sheep, hogs, and two work horses. He appeared to have saved up some cash giving away 750 pounds which would be worth well over $25,000 today.[4]
Unfortunately, we also know that his accumulation of goods and his ability to cultivate his farmland was completed on the back of at least 10 people that he enslaved. We know this as they were left to his children in the same manner as his other property. I would like to acknowledge them by name (note they did not pass on surnames). In his will he left his daughter “Margaret Forbes the negro girl Molly, that she has now in possession.” Later, during the probate, “Agreeable to an order of Court to us directed to divide and allot to William and Jane Logan their part of the Slaves belonging to their Fathers Estate.” “To William Logan one Negro Girl named Esther.” “Also to Jane Logan two negroes Delila and Isaac.[xxx] In 1807 the final division of the estate was made with Jerusha Logan allotted “a Negro man Ned” and “to Catherine Logan we allot Negroes Bobb and Ralph.” “To Benjamin Logan, we allot Negroes Abe, Sam and Jordan.” Benjamin had to pay Jerusha 15 pounds and Catherine five pounds “making each equal in the allotment.”[xxxi] [xxxii]
His will was probated on 19 July 1796 with each son getting land and his daughters getting money. His wife was left half of his “Plantation” until she got married at which time the entire plantation would go to Benjamin. My ancestor William Jr. was given the land his father lived on, known as Hicks Cabin.[xxxiii]
In 1798 the widow Agnes Married William Finley who became the stepfather and likely guardian of all the children who were still minors.[xxxiv] Next we will look at William Jr and his move to Missouri. We will also introduce you to a new line, the Hudgens.
Open questions
- Is the story about Agnes accurate? Was William there? Why was she in Harrodsburg?
[1] Note, many sites have stated that William Logan was also a private in the Virginia Continental Line in 1776, and in the Commanders-in-chiefs Guard in 1778. However, in 1776 he was in Kentucky planting corn and establishing himself for a settlement. These must be other Williams.
[2] Named in William’s will: my beloved Wife (not named), daughter Margaret Forbis, son Hugh, son James, son William, son Benjamin, daughters, Jean, Nancy, Jerusha, Catherine
[3] See Appendix C – Will and Probate for William Logan 1794
[4] The fact that he used the term Pound indicates how long it took for the dollar to establish itself after it was made the official currency in 1792.
[i] “Virginia, U.S., Select Marriages, 1785-1940”, database at Ancestry.com,Virginia, Marriages, 1785-1940. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013, (Ancestry Record 60214 #5816116 : Accessed 29 Apr 2026), 1 Aug 1775, Names: William Logan and Agnes Mccoun, Botetourt, Virginia.
[ii] History.com “History behind the wilderness Road,” available online at: Wilderness Road – Map, Daniel Boone, Cumberland Gap | HISTORY.
[iii] Madison County Historical Society, “Establishment,”, available online at: Madison County Kentucky Historical Society, Inc. – Establishment.
[iv] Bessie Taul Conkwright , “A Sketch of the Life and Times of General Benjamin Logan,” Pg 24, available online at: A Sketch OF THE Life and Times OF GENERAL BENJAMIN LOGAN on JSTOR.
[v] Kentucky.gov, Secretary of State, Administratin, Land Office Index, “Lincoln County Entries,” Book 1, Pg 4, Entry #37, Settlement, Clark’s Run, 28 Dec 1779, available online at ky.gov.
[vi] Lewis Collins, “History of Kentucky,” Vol 1, (Covington KY, Collins & Co, 1878), Pg. 12, Soldiers of the County of Kentucky, “Captain Benjamin Logan’s Company,” John Logan, Lieut, probably 1779, available online at: archive.org
[vii] Find a Grave, database and images (Find A Grave: Memorial #40454904: accessed 30 Apr 2026), Gravestone for “Capt. Hugh Logan, Born Feb 11, 1745, Died Dec 25 1816,”Buffalo Springs Cemetery, Stanford, Lincoln, Kentucky.
[viii] “Lincoln, Kentucky, United States records,” Database and Image at FamilySearch, (FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-C37N-3J9X : Accessed 30 Apr 2026), image 925, Kentucky. Circuit Court (Lincoln County), At Logan’s Fort, 20 Oct 1779, Names Captn John Logan, on behalf of Nathaniel Logan, Lincoln County, Kentucky.
[ix] “Lincoln, Kentucky, United States records,” Database and Image at FamilySearch, (FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9P3V-Q21 : Accessed 24 Feb 2026), Lincoln. Will Books 1791–1804, 1781–1791, 1804–1806, pg. 52-55, images 157 & 158, Samuel Briggs, 27 May 1792, Lincoln County, Kentucky.
[x] Ky.Gov, “County Formation FAQs, available online at: County Formation FAQs – Secretary of State (ky.gov)
[xi] Ky.Gov, “American Revolutionary War” Available online at: KY National Guard History.
[xii] battlefields.org, “Battle of Logan’s Fort,” available online at: Battle of Logan’s Fort | American Battlefield Trust (battlefields.org).
[xiii] Lewis. Collins “History of Kentucky,” Volume 1, (Covington KY, Collins & CO, 1874), pg. 12, available online at: Collins’ historical sketches of Kentucky : history of Kentucky : Collins, Lewis, 1797-1870 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
[xiv] A Sketch of the Life and Times of General Benjamin Logan by Bessie Taul Conkwright, Pg 25, printed in the Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, available online at: A Sketch OF THE Life and Times OF GENERAL BENJAMIN LOGAN on JSTOR.
[xv] IBID pg 26
[xvi] IBID
[xvii] Conveyed to me by Bill Vincent a member of the Pre1800 Logans group
[xviii] Children named in William Logan’s will dated 1796, would not account for any unknown children who pre-deceased the writing of his will
[xix] “1840 United States Federal Census”, database and image at Ancestry.com, Sixth Census of the United States, 1840. (NARA microfilm publication M704, 580 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C., (Ancestry Record 8057 #2262340 : Accessed30 Apr 2026), Census for William Logan, free white male 50-59, Place: Jackson, Johnson, Missouri.
[xx] A Sketch of the Life and Times of General Benjamin Logan by Bessie Taul Conkwright, Pg 29, printed in the Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, available online at: A Sketch OF THE Life and Times OF GENERAL BENJAMIN LOGAN on JSTOR.
[xxi] A Sketch of the Life and Times of General Benjamin Logan by Bessie Taul Conkwright, Pg 29, printed in the Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, available online at: A Sketch OF THE Life and Times OF GENERAL BENJAMIN LOGAN on JSTOR.
[xxii] IBID pgs 30, 31
[xxiii] IBID pgs 30, 31
[xxiv] IBID pg 31
[xxv] A Sketch of the Life and Times of General Benjamin Logan by Bessie Taul Conkwright, Pg 34, printed in the Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, available online at: A Sketch OF THE Life and Times OF GENERAL BENJAMIN LOGAN on JSTOR.
[xxvi] Kentucky Hisotrical Society, “earliest Church, by Tim Talbott, available online at: Earliest Church | ExploreKYHistory
[xxvii] “Journal of the First Kentucky Convention,” Dec. 27, 1784 to Jan. 5, 1785, available online at: uchicago.edu.
[xxviii] National Archives, Founders Online, “The General Assembly Session of October 1785, available online at: The General Assembly Session of October 1785 (Editorial Note) (archives.gov)
[xxix] “Kentucky Gazette”, Lexington, Kentucky, Sat, Jun 23, 1792, pg. 2, “Lexington, June 13,” Available online at: (Kentucky Gazette).
[xxx] Lincoln County Wills and Inventories, Pg 355 located on JSTOR LINCOLN COUNTY WILLS AND INVENTORIES on JSTOR
[xxxi] “Lincoln, Kentucky, United States records,” Database and Image at FamilySearch, (FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9P3V-QNZ : Accessed 30 Apr 2026), pgs. 154-156, images 82, 83, Lincoln. Will Books 1781–1791, 1791–1804, 1804–1806, 5 Mar 1796, proved 19 Jul 1796, William Logan, names children: daughter Margaret Forbis, son Hugh, son James, son William, son Benjamin, daughters, Jean, Nancy, Jerusha, Catherine, Lincoln County Kentucky.
[xxxii] “Lincoln, Kentucky, United States records,” Database and Image at FamilySearch, (FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GP3V-Q1F : Accessed 30 Apr 2026), pgs. 118-120, images 125, 126, Lincoln. Will Books 1791–1804, 1781–1791, 1804–1806, Mar 1807, Motion by William Finley, guardian of Jerusha and Catherine Logan, daughters of William Logan, Lincoln County Kentucky.
[xxxiii] “Lincoln, Kentucky, United States records,” Database and Image at FamilySearch, (FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9P3V-QNZ : Accessed 30 Apr 2026), pgs. 154-156, images 82, 83, Lincoln. Will Books 1781–1791, 1791–1804, 1804–1806, 5 Mar 1796, proved 19 Jul 1796, William Logan, names children: daughter Margaret Forbis, son Hugh, son James, son William, son Benjamin, daughters, Jean, Nancy, Jerusha, Catherine, Lincoln County Kentucky.
[xxxiv] “Lincoln, Kentucky, United States records,” Database and Image at FamilySearch, (FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GP3V-Q1F : Accessed 30 Apr 2026), pgs. 118-120, images 125, 126, Lincoln. Will Books 1791–1804, 1781–1791, 1804–1806, Mar 1807, Motion by William Finley, guardian of Jerusha and Catherine Logan, daughters of William Logan, Lincoln County Kentucky
Thanks so much for sharing this! I enjoyed this chapter as I can visualize the McCowns in part of this story being in the same area.