The Women of Bryan Station

The Women of Bryan Station

In August of 1782 the Bryan Station Fort found itself under siege by over 400 Indians, Canadians and British Officers, who were all hiding in surrounding brush and woods waiting to draw the men of the fort outside the picket walls. The fort had run out of water and found itself in a precarious situation. It was decided that the women of the fort should follow their normal routine and fetch water from the nearby spring so the awaiting attack party would not suspect they had been detected. Led by Jemima Suggett Johnson, 12 women and 16 girls gathered their pails and walked to the creek, under the watchful eye of the would-be attackers. It took over an hour to fill all the pails and then make the return journey of about 60 yards up the hill and back into the safety of the fort. Jemima's infant was waiting inside the fort, a son who later grew up to become the ninth Vice President of the United States, Richard Mentor Johnson. The Indians did attack the fort later that day and were beaten back. The Royalist retreated during the night and headed to Blue Licks while being pursued by Daniel Boone and his party of men.

In August of 1896 the Lexington Chapter, DAR, dedicated the Memorial Wall which was built around the spring to honor these brave women. This is the first monument built by women to women. On June 15, 1897 a new chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was granted its charter and chose the name Bryan Station in honor of these brave women of Bryan Station Fort. A few years later the original monument washed away and another was built. Though the first monument honored the women of the fort, the second monument also honored the men who defended the fort; their names were placed on tablets on the inside and back of the wall.

225 years later, in August of 2007, the Bryan Station Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Lexington Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Kentucky State Parks Foundation and the Kentucky Humanities Council sponsored a re-dedication and re-enactment ceremony at the site of the spring. The story, additional photos and video of the re-enactment can be found at the following link:

http://www.graphicenterprises.net/html/bryan_station.html

The Bryan Station Chapter of the DAR is proud to hold the brave women of Bryan Station Fort as the role models of our chapter.

The walls of the monument honor both the ladies who gathered

water and the men who defended the fort.

Bryan Station Chapter Regent Donna Durbin, Lexington Chapter member

Martha King and Event Coordinator Linda Morgan pose with re-enactors.

Bryan Station Chapter members Malinda and Myra Lewyn

pose with Daniel Boone re-enactor.

Springs monument honor both the brave men and women of Bryan Station Fort.

Re-enactors depict the brave women of Bryan Station Fort.

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