From The Biographical Encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the Dead and Living Men of the Nineteenth Century, J. M. Armstrong & Company, 1878.

I have permission from Southern Historical Press, Inc., to use the biographies in this volume on my blog.

Judge Samuel Haycraft, pioneer and farmer, was born September 11, 1752, in Virginia, and was the son of James Haycraft, an English sailor, who belonged to the British navy.  His father’s ship touched some American harbor, probably on the coast of Virginia, about 1740, and for some cause, he remained in this country.  He married in Virginia, and himself and wife both died, leaving three sons – James, Samuel and Joshua – who were raised by Col. John Nevill, a wealthy Virginian.  Samuel Haycraft received a good common-school education, and remained with Col. Nevill until he was of age, when, with a letter of recommendation, he started out to shift for himself in the world.  He entered the army as a common soldier, and served his time out, in the war of the Revolution.  While in his soldier’s uniform, he was married to Margaret Van Meter, [September 9, 1778] at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; in the fall of 1779, emigrated, with the whole Van Meter family, to Kentucky; in the spring of 1780 settled at Cave Spring, in what is now Hardin County; built a fort, in which he long resided with his family; shared in all the trials and dangers of the early settlement; kept pace with the growth of the country; served as sheriff of his county; was one of the judges of the Court of Quarter Sessions; was one of the Assistant Judges of he first Circuit Court organized at Elizabethtown; represented his county in the Legislature, in 1801 and 1809; was one of the first who built a house in Elizabethtown; was characteristically hospitable, his house being one of the popular resorts during the sessions of the early courts; was a man of great honor and probity of character, and was one of the most useful and highly esteemed of the old pioneer farmers of Kentucky.  He died October 15, 1823.  One of his children, at least, survives him.

Samuel Haycraft’s gravestone is overgrown by a plant.  I did my best to push it back to get a photo of the newer stone.

From Two Centuries in Elizabethtown and Hardin County, Kentucky, Daniel E. McClure, Jr., Hardin County Historical Society, 1979.

From Mr. McClure’s above-mentioned book, we find more information on the Haycraft family.  He says that several Haycraft brothers were among the first settlers in Hardin County, including Samuel, James and Joshua – sounds like the three brothers!

‘Samuel Haycraft, Sr., built a large house in Elizabethtown and raised his family there.  He owned considerable land in the Mill Creek section.  His farm adjoined that of the Lincolns [Thomas and Nancy Hanks Lincoln, and son Abraham], the two families being good friends.  They were interested in Mill Creek church and attended it often.  Samuel Haycraft, Jr., inherited the land at the death of his father, and in turn his daughter, Sarah Maria (who married Stephen McMurtry), inherited it and it was the homeplace of the McMurtrys for many years.’

Samuel ‘Haycraft built the first mill in the valley in 1797.  Thomas Lincoln, father of the President, was employed by Mr. Haycraft in the building of it.’

Margaret Van Meter Haycraft’s gravestones, original and newer.

Records in the National Archives show that Samuel Haycraft enlisted to serve in the Revolutionary War for three years.  He served under Captain James Hook in the 13^th Virginia Regiment, under Colonel William Russell, later under Captains Sullivan and Springer, then under Lieutenant Ralph.  The 13^th regiment was changed to the 9^th and commanded by Colonel John Gibson.  Samuel Haycraft was discharged August 2, 1779.  

The following muster roll is difficult to read – I did my best!  Notice Haycraft is spelled ‘Heycraft’.  At first I couldn’t find his record – always check a different spelling!

A Muster Roll of Capt. James Hook’s Company in the 13^th Virginia Regiment in the service of the United States Commanded by Colonel William Russell, taken to 7^th September 1777.  Commissioned December 19, 1776, James Hook Captain; Uriah Pringer, 1^st Lieutenant, Arthur Gordon, 2^nd Lieutenant, January 9^th, 1777, John Harges, Ensign.

Sergeants:

1. William Parkison, the war, deserted July 25
2. James Brandon, 3 years
3. Thomas Tannishied, 3 years
4. Thomas McClung, 3 years

Brevets:

1. Cornelius Johnston, 3 years
2. John Johnston, the war
3. Morgan Kelly, the war, absent without leave
4. Matthew Janoren, the war
5. Daniel Murray, the war
6. John Duncan, 3 years
7. Thomas Heathway, the war, in hospital
8. Henry Lawson, the war
9. John Defavoun, 3 years
10. Henry Charlton, 3 years
11. Johny Colbert, 3 years
12. Amos Hendrickson, the war, on command PB
13. Benjamin Foman, 3 years, sick hospital
14. Elijah Veach, 3 years, sick hospital
15. James Athens, 3 years
16. James English, 3 years
17. Thomas Walker, 3 years

Corporals:

1. William McNary, 3 years
2. John Miller, 3 years
3. James Gunner, 3 years

Drums and Fifes:

1.  John Aldrige

2.  William Coxson

Privates:

18.  John James, the war, sick in hospital

19.  James Hannah, the war, Camp Cman.

20.  Frances Brannan, the war, PMburg

21.  Thomas Whine, the war, PMburg

22.  Samuel Street, 3 years

23.  John Mosby, 3 years, Dpg

24.  William McClung, 3 years

25.  William Wood, 3 years, Pisttsburg

26.  Samuel Heycraft, 3 years, Pittsburg

27.  Phillip Henthron, the war

28.  Cornelius Montgomery, the war

29.  John Hook, Volunteer, Pittsburg

30.  James Williams, deserted May 25^th

31.  Thomas Burns, deserted May 25^th

32.  Thomas Higgenbottom

33.  James Dawson, deserted May 25th

34.  Thomas Conner, deserted 24^th

35.  James Conner, deserted 24^th

36.  Timothy Joline, died 22^nd February

37.  William Delenway, discharged 7^th June

38.  Alex Leige, ?

40.  Benjamin White

41.  Zach Wilson