The Story of Simon Girty, Infamous Renegade | HISTORY | CANADIAN | PIONEER | FRONTIER
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- Опубліковано 18 бер 2022
- As he sits by the fire, Peter tells the story of Simon Girty, the legendary frontiersman on the American frontier in the 17 and early 1800's.
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Featuring - Peter Kelly
Cinematography - Catherine Wolfe
Producer & Editor - Catherine Wolfe
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Facebook - / the.woodland.escape
MUSIC
The amazing music in this episode is graciously provided by our friends, Richard Fortier and Al MacDonald.
#18thcentury #pioneerlife #americancolonialhistory #history #frontier
My mums mum is a girty we live in essex county just east of his estates in amhersburg...im very proud of my heritage and will continue to tell this word...thank yoiu sir 🙏
You have some very interesting blood in your veins sir.
I was quite happy to see the title of your video. Thank you for doing this historic character. I first heard of Girty when I met a young man who was reading Allan W. Eckert's "Frontiersmen".We read aloud the books together on our 'dates'. We have been married for many decades! The next time I heard of Girty was in doing my genealogy. He was supposed to have led a group of Native Americans in a raid on a Mennonite minister's family, killing 8 members of the family. One of the children that got away became my ancestor. This has not been proven. I will share this video with my husband! Again, thank you.
Wow, that is some fascinating family history and it hank you for sharing.
Look up morris family massacre.
Hi Peter! A lot of how we react to historical personages depends on how old we are when we are first introduced to them... and how their story is told. Most kids have a "black or white" view, when they are young; and that is a hard habit to break. They want their "Good Guys" to be paragons of virtue... while "The Bad Guys" are beyond all redemption... not to mention that Good Always Wins. It is a bitter pill to swallow when you learn that your heroes might have had feet of clay. My introduction to Simon Girty was when, as a kid, I read, "The Devil And Daniel Webster", when he was included in the "Infernal Jury" along with Walter Butler Jr. and other infamous (from the U.S. point of view) traitors and renegades. I am A LOT older now... and I hope some wiser. I see that there are many shades of grey when it comes to folks like Girty, who lived a turbulent life in turbulent times. Molly Brandt might be a good selection for a "fire side chat", at some point down the road!
So well said Martin, as there is a wee bit of gray in most everything You indeed sound wise, I’m still waiting for that to happen, lol. I always enjoy your feedback.
Yes. Well said. Simon Girty had his reasons. Also, he did try to save Crawford from burning at the stake. Offering to the Chief basically his life's savings. Though Crawford was condemned for the Moravian massacre already and the Delawares would not give him up.
Love your story telling. I feel like I’m sitting by the fire with you. Heck, I can even smell the wood smoke!!
Well now Christopher, that is indeed a flattering compliment.
Listening to these stories reminds me of visiting the pioneer village and fort York on elementary school field trips. It’s a rainy early spring Saturday night, the family’s asleep and I’m having fun sitting by the wood stove listening to you share a bit of history.
Thank you.
Sounds like you are in a cozy surrounding, Jay. Flattered that you spend that leisure time watching our channel.
I recently got into my family history which led me into the history of the Frontier and Ohio where I'm from. I'm from Crawford county, named after Col Crawford who was burnt at and Simon Girty was a witness. Col Crawford begged Girty to kill him and end his suffering. I love this history. I'd love to live back then and hope to have a cabin and live how you're living here.
I too find it the most fascinating period of history. Thanks for your interest.
Enjoyed this a great deal. Hearing that fire snap & pop, periodically, really makes this enjoyable. I love background noises, minus some old fart hacking up a lung, or some o'l boy next door with a jack hammer, while trying to sleep. I don't mind a distant train horn, or far off chainsaw. Good video, sir
Pretty much the only background sound we have out here in the hinterland and I thank my lucky stars for that.
I enjoyed your talk. Girty had 3 brothers. His father was killed in a drunken brawl with a visitor. His family were captured and taken to Kittanning, an Indian village featuring several tribes. There the capt was killed. His mom tried to escape and was brutally murdered. According to Allen Eckert, Kenton was “cutahotha”, condemned. He was painted black and prepared to be burned more than once. He was kept alive so long as he could run another gauntlet, which he did about 9 times. He was actually claimed by a woman who had lost her son, so she adopted Kenton. Apparently this was a custom.
Catahecassa, had pronounced his sentence had assumed that he had been burned. Imagine his surprise to find Kenton living with the Shawnee at Sandusky. He was very angry. He ordered Kenton a under guard and the sentence was re instated. When prepared to run the gauntlet again, he turned and fled. Blue Jacket happened to be arriving and crossed simons path where he recaptured Kenton.
So, the part of this story, about Simon Kenton being very badly beaten up, discovered by Girty, cannot be true, according to Eckert.
Simon Girty did not have any authority to do anything about Kentons sentence.
Kenton was sold to the British as they paid a steep bounty for him. Kenton was very very wealthy. He had claimed a large amount of real estate in Kentucky. So he was a very valuable prisoner.
Girty was also there when they burned Col Crawford. He begged for Crawford’s life and was offered the opportunity to exchange places with the col.
He declined.
I wish you’d been here for an interview on Girty. You are very knowledgeable, Paul. I do try to hit the highlights in order to keep the length reasonable but, your last line in your comments would have been an excellent ending to the story. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to type all this out!
@@TheWoodlandEscape That’s an old Allen Eckert trick.
His chapter would end with, “ and they just felt like things were looking up, they weren’t.
I am a lifelong student of Appalachian history. I am always disappointed when history takes on a dark or mysterious aura. It wasn’t dark. It wasn’t mysterious. The people who lived in 1770, are not any different than you and I. They aren’t mysterious at all. Simon Girtybwas a highly principled man. He was a very brave and rugged Indian agent. So he was not a villain.
It was true that most whites who were raised by the Indians, preferred the Indian lifestyle and did not wish to return.
I did check my books. You are correct that Girty saved Kenton.
It was after that, thatbKentij was adopted, and subsequently ransomed to the British.
I could spend an evening around a campfire with you anytime!
Someday many years from now, some young frontier's man will be sitting by a fire ... talking about that rascal ... Peter Kelly !!
That’s funny, Glen, I’ll take that as a compliment.
I love this channel!
You're living our history and possibly our future.
Thank you for outstanding videos.
Hello from Tennessee.
One never knows in these crazy times, just what skills we may need.
Love hearing you tell history stories
There is a feature directly west of the old Wheeling Ohio County Airport named Girty’s Point where Girty kept track of settler’s movements up and down the Virginia (now West Virginia) Short Creek and the Ohio River. This is not far from where my 5x great uncle Samuel McColloch was ambushed and killed. The attackers considered him a brave man, so they ate pieces of his heart to inherit some of that bravery. I have spent much time in Canada, particularly the beautiful Georgian Bay region, and find Canadian History as interesting!
Thank you for sharing your fascinating family history. Georgian Bay is truly a gem in terms of beauty!
Thanks for the storytelling, along the lines of Simon Girty, how bought Blue Jacket? Living out west I've always studied the western frontier, since I built a flintlock I've naturally slipped back in time east of the Mississippi! I appreciate your talent and interest, there really is plenty of us that enjoy this...Jim
Blue Jacket, now there is a fascinating individual… you’ve planted a seed. Given your a flintlock maker, than I too, appreciate your talent and skill. I’ve built 3 and I love the project.
Have a Chamberlain kit ordered for the next one, sure am interested if we had rifle makers here in Canada then , that I could track down...having a slow, developing interest in smooth bores, soo practical ...
I have rifled flinders but, these days I pretty much carry my smoothbore.
As a non-american I find these insights into the beginnings of US very fascinating :)
It is a young history but, a fascinating one indeed.
@@TheWoodlandEscapeI am reading "Colonial American travel narratives" by penguin classics.
Living in England I really love US history of days gone by.
Wish I could have been a part of it really.
Thank you! This is fascinating history!
Glad you enjoyed it!
One of my favorite historical figures from the Frontier period. Thank you for sharing.
He was mine as well and I appreciate your interest.
Thank you for the history by the hearth. I look forward to more wee stories.
I’ve got to give you a big thank you … “history by the hearth” has such a wonderful ring to it, I will be using that as a Playlist category in the future and in introducing future historical chats. You sir, have planted the seed!
His son Lt Thomas Girty was killed during the War of 1812, Interesting topic and thanks for the video. I am Simon Girty's 6X grandson, via Peter (Prideaux) Girty.
Now that is some very interesting family history. You have some interesting blood in your veins. I appreciate you sharing , Douglas.
@@TheWoodlandEscape That's not the half of it! Simon was my dad's mother's 4X great grandfather. My father's father's family apparently originate from a 12th century viking, Sweyn Asleifson, aka "The Ultimate Viking"! So enough bad a$$es on one side of the family!
This was wonderful I hope you keep telling these stories .
Thanks Deb, we certainly appreciate your encouragement.
Very much appreciated sir. I love the history of the founding fathers
Glad you enjoyed it and I’m with you on the history part.
Another great and interesting story about people whom have been lost in history. Thanks for sharing.
So much has been lost to time. I certainly appreciate your interest, Thaddeus.
I learned of this man in a book named "Captured by Indians". It refrenced him a few times as being a form of renegade and has always been a curious figure of mine, thank you for the history behind him
He was a fascinating man indeed!
Appreciate your efforts and dedication! Took the weekend off the beaten path. Spent my time with my youngest son in a slab board cabin. So good for the soul.14 year needed it as much as I did. Thanks again and keep your powder dry!
Time spent with family in such a manner is not deducted from your lifespan … keep it up Ashley and you’ll live forever. Watch your top knot.
The story of Simon Girty and my Family go back to a raid at Runddles Station in 1780. They where forced to run the GAUNTLET on the way to Detroit. In 1781 two of my ancestors joined Buttlers Rangers under Calldwell and Grirty was there scout. This raid was a response to the Kidnapping of Henry Hamilton and the Gnadenhutten killing of Moravians Delaware's. While present at Crawford's burning 50 Rangers could not stop it. The former site of Runddles Station was used as a base to cut off Clarks supplies with ended in the Battle at Blue Lick. In 1783 the Rangers took the remaining Moravians across Lake Erie to where they live near the site of The Battle of the Thames. Love the content hope to get my UE soon.
Wow, what a fascinating bit of family history and I thank you for sharing. Most people don’t know their family history back 2 generations let alone 2 plus centuries. Good for you.
I really enjoy these kinds of stories, thank you.
I’m glad Kirk, thank you.
Watched a couple of your video"s & have to say you are keeping the art of story telling alive, & in todays world it"s a lost art. Tk you, keep them coming
A fine compliment indeed, Gary. We appreciate your interest and support.
I Read his Autobiography !! Fascinating !!! One of my favorite books. Amazing Man !! Thank you for Sharing !!
Thanks Jason.
Hi. I just found your channel. I found the brief talk on Simon Girty to be interesting and informative. All I'd ever learned of Girty did indeed describe him as Daniel Boone's greatest enemy as well as painting him to be someone that was almost the incarnation of evil. Your words were the first positive words I've ever heard about him. Thanks for this video and for all the others you've got. I plan to access them all.
Glad you found us, Phillip. We most certainly appreciate your interest and support.
Painting...very artistic
Absolutely outstanding! Very well done!
Thanks Lisa and Paul, we appreciate your encouragement.
Always interesting. The videos are so enjoyable.
Thank you.
keep them coming! I enjoy listening to your story telling
Thank you Chance.
A great history and a great family in your back yard! They made that corn look so good that I could have joined them! Many Thanks! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania
Glad you enjoyed it, Davy’s and thanks for watching.
Really enjoy the history being told about our beginnings!
Thanks Bob … everything starts somewhere but, often we have lost the, how did it happen part.
Great story. Thank you for sharing. I like the fireside chats. A lovely respite on a wintry day.
We can all use an occasional respite, Peggy, glad you enjoyed.
Thanks for the chat, i enjoy hearing about these people from history.
Thanks Jeff.
Indeed I like the storytelling. I lad and you tell em with enthusiasm!
Thanks John for the kind words.
What fabulous adventures, pleasure to learn of these people
Thanks Tammy.
Another excellent recounting of history. Great Job!
Thanks Jim.
Fantastic old friend.loved it.your a brilliant story teller,thank you.
Thanks John,appreciate the feedback.
Excellent videos, please keep them coming!
Thanks Mark.
Thanks again!
Our pleasure!
thank you I enjoyed that history story . keep it up
I love your stories Peter, and you're also a great teacher!
Thanks Chester.
Another great video! It's always such a treat to get notifications of a new one. I wanted to recommend a book called "From out of the Forest" by William Yno. He basically retells the stories his family had been handing down since they made it Virginia, now West Virginia. Kenton, Girty, Greathouse, even Techumseh and Chief Cornstalk are talked about. It's a fascinating story and an interesting look into life back then.
Thanks Eric, I will most certainly be looking into that book.
My grand uncle was a personal friend of the Girty family. He acquired Simon Girty's sakawon, a beautifully carved (walking stick) which he allowed me to handle when I was a young boy more than 65 years ago. My great uncle donated it the the Amherstburg Museum. Unfortunately I can't remember his many stories of Simon except for a harrowing escape from Detroit by swimming across the Detroit River holding the tail of his horse.
Wow, I interesting way to escape. What a piece of history to hold!
So glad I found your channel. So interesting listening to your depictions instead of the glittering generalities we were taught in school half a century ago.
Wonderful, we’re glad you found us as well and appreciate your interest.
Simon Girty was also part of a Indian raid that killed two of my ancestors, both young girls that were tomhawked and scalped. Their mother was captured as a young girl as well by Shawnee and escaped to a Fort at Pleasant Point commanded by Daniel Boone, these were her two daughters after marrying a soldier at the fort
Well Crazytown, that’s some crazy and interesting family history. I certainly appreciate you sharing that with me.
Yes the fireside chats are so good just a wee bit too brief. I could listen much longer. Thank you Peter
Thanks Joe. Some would say once started I’m hard to to stop, lol.
Greetings from Southern Ohio! I greatly appreciate your content. Keep the wee bits of history coming!
Thanks James.
Thank you for the wonderful story. It’s always nice to hear about someone siding with the Indians anytime they were so very much miss treated. Also, thanks to Kathy for the wonderful wildlife and landscape footage.
Thanks Richard and I’ll pass on your compliment to Cathy.
Townsends seems to be having a lot of success with their new book club. Perhaps you could host a book club about The Bride of New France. this crown would love it. A chapter a week of commentary on the book with some witling by the fire. Great book
I’ll get that book.
Dear Mike, this episode is just so beautiful. Many thanks.❤
From Hungary with love.🇭🇺🇭🇺🇭🇺
Thank you.
Thanks for this story. So interesting and informative. Your cabin is beautiful.
Thanks Dan, we kinda like our little spot.
Love the story love to
Hear some more
Thanks Darren, more on the way.
I always have respected Simon Girty. Who is familiar with the TV show "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and one episode where the main characters are working to get the bar they own declared a historical landmark. They are explaining (making up) the role the bar played in the American Revolution and showing what their ancestors did. The two main guys are deciding which side to join. One asks the other, well which side is going to win? Obviously the British they decided. And who wouldn't think the British will win. You have zealots on both sides but im betting the silent majority, the average man on the street, thought the British would win. Even if they wanted independence the smart play is staying right on the fence. Girty definitely didn't sit on the fence
He certainly did not! Stats would indicate 1/3 were revolutionists, 1/3 Tory and 1/3 fence sitters at the start.
fantasic.
yes, you make the facts come alive for the listener.
Thank you, very flattered.
Keep ‘em coming!
We’re trying Craig. We don’t seem to run out of projects.
@@TheWoodlandEscape the history story’s are 👍🏻
I know what you mean about smelling the black powder and hearing the war cries. When at Oriskany I close my eyes and try to drown out the traffic noise just to imagine. The times were so turbulent no matter what side you were on or what tribe you belonged too. Thanks for taking us back and helping us relive those times.
Our pleasure Mark. We appreciate your continued interest.
Allen W Eckerts books brilliantly describe this time in great detail, Girty and Kenton are mentioned at great length. The brutality of the frontier war is shocking.
I’ve read them all. Not only a great writer but, also an amazing researcher.
Excellent
Great video!
Thanks, Syghman, glad you enjoyed.
Great history! Love it.
You mentioned Daniel Boone. I'm about 90 miles from the Cumberland Gap.
That is a beautiful area.
Thank you.
Excellent history lesson. Send me more.
On the way Pete!
outstanding story!thanks
Thanks for listening
Mr.Pete....too bad that history lessons in school aren't more like these. Thank you sir! And as always, stay well! Robin
Thanks Robin. Sadly, history in grade school is still remembering dates and names and regurgitate them on examinations.
Hi from Syracuse NY USA brother and everyone else thank you for sharing different parts of history
Great stories !
Glad you enjoyed it!
Really enjoyed this Talk👍 Much of the Early Fur trade French/Indian wars and colonial times are so often overshadowed. My G Grandmother was mixed blood from the six Nations Reserve. Growing up in Far west my entire life-But I have always felt a longing for the History and spirit of that Region. Thanks for sharing this🇺🇸
Wow such nice comments. Glad you’re enjoying.
Really enjoying the frontier stories. I hope you’ll focus on some of the stories north of the border. We’ve all heard many American tales, but the Canadian frontier was full of amazing characters as well. Lets celebrate our own too!
Good point Ronda. We have a few that we intending to do. We appreciate your interest.
Hello from Detroit Michigan USA brother 👋 thank you for sharing your adventure through time
Another great history lesson. Joyful as always. Greetings from Poland, take care and keep your powder dry.
Thank you and make sure to “watch your top knot “!
77 videos in Peter. Lol. Always captivating for history, so I binge watch when I can.
You sir, are hard core.
@@TheWoodlandEscape lol. I tend to get a lot of spare time these days, & I enjoy your content. There are a select few that I watch constantly. Your videos reflect a lot of my younger years, & I sometimes see how I can do things more efficiently than I have. I'm all for learning as much as I am for teaching.
timothy truman's graphic novel "wilderness" is a well-researched and gripping visual presentation of girty's life and times.
I’ve not read it, thanks for the recommendation.
he sheds some light on the fate of girty's father. in the first edition, truman believed that an indian killed him in a drunken rage; when subsequent research indicated that his father was killed in a duel with a british officer he had insulted, truman redrew and recaptioned the sequence.@@TheWoodlandEscape
@@roydownes2458 Definitely worth a read!
Good evening Peter. Thanks for sharing. Hope all are well.
All’s well, Michael and with you I trust.
Well know 2 unknowns I've learned about today, Simon girty and Lewis wetzel, two figures I've found very entertaining to learn about.
They are a couple of fascinating historical characters.
@@TheWoodlandEscape unfortunately two characters arent either antagonist or protagonist of morals, something hollywood would never put on screen to tell their tale lol
Indeed, neither will have their tale told by Hollywood.
Agreed. I hate that about Hollywood. Most of the time the true history can stand for itself.
I enjoy good storytelling about history.
As do I and for that matter any story. Having said that, I guess all stories are history.
Very interesting, great video!
Thank you.
@@TheWoodlandEscape No, thank you
You are an inspiration.
I’m flattered, Jeremiah.
Well done!!
Thanks Lon.
Nice looking gobblers there! I hope to hit the woods in a few weeks with my fowler, Annie, and hope to make my presence known amongst the turkeys of western NC.
Our season opens up here in Ontario the 25th of April… me of my favorite hunts. Good luck get that State record Tom!
Great story Peter. Please tell us some more? :-)
Thanks Amy. I don’t need a lot of encouragement to spin a yarn. We do have more wee bits of history planned.
Hello from Kentucky. I live about 40 miles from the site of Ft. Boonesboro. So I have heard Girtys name often. Good story.
I’d love to visit your area someday.
I love the story telling but the wildlife is awesome. We live in the Ozarks of Missouri and we have hundreds of wilderness acres and plenty of wildlife. Thank you. Be well.
Thanks Teri. My wife Cathy is the one who captures most of the wildlife … I’ll pas on your kind comment.
Love this channel!!! Love your history telling!!! How about considering Lewis Wetzel?
Thanks, Gene and that rascal Wetzel is on my to do list.
well told!
Thank you sir.
Great story!
Thanks Ron.
Well told sir. Well done.
Thank you.
There needs to be a movie made about Simon Girty
That would certainly be an interesting one.
well produced
Thank you.
Is that a different gun than your usual? It's really a fine piece of maple. I've been enjoying the fireside stories. I won't complain if you keep posting more.
I built that flintlock, 20 years ago. It is a rifled .54 caliber. Hangs over the fireplace. I usually carry my smoothbore.
Wonderful account of a great historical figure. I grew up near a place called "Girty's Island" where he stayed for some time in Northwest Ohio, on the Maumee River.
There is so much interesting history in the area that you grew up in. Appreciate your feedback.
@@TheWoodlandEscape growing up I had always enjoyed walking along the Towpath Trail, visiting Fallen Timbers, Fort Defiance, Grand Rapids, and let's not forget about all of the old headstones and original log cabins spread throughout the area! Even an old Civil War encampment!
Your a man of my own heart, Rick.
I have really liked this and the last one too
Thanks Bill.
Great chat, Peter. It was from this area he chose to switch sides, so most around these parts consider him a scoundrel. I can certainly see his affinity to the natives being the deciding factor though. He often gets blamed for the 1781 murder of Archibald Lochry. However, it seems that was his brother George.
I,m thinking there are a few Americans that blame old Simon for a lot of things!
I love your story telling! I would love to read more of Simon Girty's life. Can you possibly make recommendations? Thanks.
Allen Eckert’s historical novel The Frontiersman. Although fiction the author is an amazing historical researcher… He puts personality to the characters.
Another interesting story about those old pioneers who so want to have land! But like most of them when they get it, it's back to warring they go!! No wonder that even today we have war, war, and more wars????
Love seeing that old musket of yours and hearing your stories. But I've got to tell you. I found something on the internet the other day that I've been wondering about for years. There is an old longrifle on display at Horse Shoe Bend Military Museum and it's called the whale's rifle, awarded by James Madison to a Cherokee fellow for his services at that battle. From Cherokee newspapers and mention in Wilkinsons History of the Cherokees I believe that fellow to be my 3rd great grandfather. From other sources I've learned some of his life and times and it was quite a journey. It began perhaps in Georgia and Tennessee and ended along the Colorado River in Texas, and, believe you me, I could tell you a wee bit of history.
I’m envious Larry of your family history. Most people know little or nothing of theirs.
@@TheWoodlandEscape it was by accident, one book, then a lot of research and checking old records. Paternal family arrived in the 1730s from Breckon, Wales. From the East Coast to Westen Maryland, into Pennsylvania, down the Great Wagon Road and into the Carolina Piedmont. From there, points west. One of them, a Revolutionary War vet, became an Indian trader. We all come from somewhere and I would guess that many people would be amazed at what their ancestors did and who they might have been , who their associates were, if only they could trace the footsteps. Love to relate what I've learned, but it might be a little long winded. Take care Peter. Funny thing. We think of history as being linear, going from one point, to another and to another. But, from what I've learned when it comes to associations and the movements of people it's more circular, with the same families and their descendants coming together again and again and again.
Another great one lets hear about George Rodgers Clark.
He is on my list!
Simon was my husband's uncle. Don't know how many "greats"...but this was a great video! I've read a lot about him, but there's something really nice to hear someone talking about him! Wonderful job and THANKS!
Glad you enjoyed it, Mr. Girty. You’ve got some interesting blood in you veins.
My mum is a girty cross the Erie in Canada.. Essex county ..hope you are well 🙏
Great , great video .. you are a natural .. keep up the good work . My you should have two million subscribers but maybe not to far off .. this is a channel of wonderous value .. great story telling .. Onward and Upward is the watchword ..
Nice compliment, Jeff. We do seem stalled on getting new subscribers but, we never started this for fame, more out of passion for history.