Dear Bob Francis: First, let me say that I am KNOCKED OUT by your Ruddell's and Martin's Fort Web Page. What a great collection of information. I do a lot of surfing on the net for frontier Kentucky pages, and every time I get a good hit, it takes me to your website.

Just wanted to pass along a little information. I was reading the text of John Conway's Revolutionary War pension application (your site has a link to this application), and I noticed that one of the witnesses, Robert M. Daniel, is not on your list of captives.

Here is Daniel's testimony: State of Kentucky, County of Bourbon On this day personally appeared before me, William Barton, one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Bourbon aforesaid, Robert M. Daniel, aged 74 years and John Layle (John Layle crossed out) who being duly sworn according to law, on their (their crossed out) his oath state they (they crossed out) he was living in Captain Isaac Ruddle's Station when he was taken by the British and Indians on the 24th day of June 1780 and was together with John Conway taken prisoner by them and carried to Detroit, where the said Conway and himself were kept as prisoners until the month of October 1782 when they were (they were crossed out) he was liberated. Subscribed and sworn to on the 23rd day of April 1834. Robert M. (X) Daniel.

As far as John Layle (name crossed out), who is mentioned above, my best guess is that he was going to testify, the papers were all made out in advance, but he died before the April 23, 1834 court date.

I hope that this e-mail, in some way, contributes to your project. Send e-mail if you have time.

With respect, William Dodd Brown
E-mail address: William_Dodd_Brown@cch.com

Eneas and Robert McDaniel: References found in depositions and public records.

Bourbon County Court Order Book B, January 1798
The deposition of John Sellers being of full age and duly sworn deposeth and saith that he saw Eneas McDaniel and his son frequently at work on the improvement mentioned in the preamble in the summer of 1776 and suppose they had between 2 or 3 acres cleared and have ever since known it by the name of said McDaniel's Improvement. And further this deponent saith not. Signed John Sellers. Teste David Clarkson, John Smith, Thomas Mahan

From Biography of John Hinkson:
John Hinkson and six other men, including John Haggin, returned to Pennsylvania sometime in the late fall of 1775. Hinkson and Haggin (with his family) returned the following spring along with several others, including Thomas Dunn, David Wilson, Thomas Moore, Benjamin Harrison, John Morgan, Belles Collier, Robert Keene, John Sellers, William Woods, Eneas McDaniel ( Harrison County Court Order Book A, pg. 337) and William Kennedy.

JOHN CLARKSON-Will Book B, page 254-"Aged 42 years." Agreement with Rene Mahan, in hands of Robt. McDaniel; land sold Wm. Cummins; land bought of William Mahan; to Agness Mahan; to John Mahan when of age; children, Samuel, Elizabeth and Caty; wife, Agness care of children until 18 years or married. Executors: wife and Roger Williams. Written August 13, 1804. Proved December, 1804. Witnesses-Chas. Clarkson, William Mahan, Jno. Wells.

McDANIEL ENEAS-Bourbon County Will Book B, 165--Wife, Isabella; sons, Alexander, John, Rowland, Robert and Francis; dau., Jane Devore; Geo. Givens, Benj. Kendrick and Chas. Smith, Jr., mentioned. Aug. 20, 1802--Sept. 1802. John and Chas. Clarkson, Wm. Kendrick, Wts.

Draper Manuscript Collection 18S:113-115, Interview with ?, August 27, 1863.:

"Thinks there were at least 18 or 20 families there – block-houses, and pickets – the Ruddells, Kyles, McFall, Robert McDaniel and others. Christian Spears, was there a young man – taken to Detroit, there married a fellow prisoner and after peace he removed to and settled in Kentucky."