by Ralph Barnes
Joseph Proctor, noted Indian fighter and Methodist preacher, is perhaps Estill
County's most famous historic figure. He was born around 1755 in Rowan County,
NC, and later immigrated with several of his brothers to the wilderness in the
extreme eastern portion of the state.
He was among the first people to settle on the Holston River located in present
day Washington County, North Carolina. While living on the Holston, two
important events occurred in his life that would have future consequences for
Proctor and Estill County.
First, he met and married Polly Horn, daughter of Aaron Horn, progenitor of the
Horn family in Estill County. Secondly, he enlisted in the Virginia Militia
that was formed by Governor Patrick Henry of Virginia in 1778 to defend Fort
Boonesboroug at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. The action was prompted
when Daniel Boone and two dozen men from Fort Boonesborough were captured by
Indians, leaving the settlement almost defenseless.
Several members of the Horn and Proctor clans joined Joseph and Polly, on the difficult
trek to Fort Boonesborough. The settlers in the compound were in dire straits
by the time the rescue party arrived. Proctor and his fellow troopers made
several raids across the Ohio to free the captives, but were unsuccessful.
Eventually Boone escaped in time to warn the Fort about an impending attack by
the British and their Indian allies. The Proctors and their relatives were
among the defenders of Fort Boonesborough during the famous siege of 1778. They
were successful in defending the Fort against great odds in what probably was
the most important battle ever waged between the European settlers and the
Native Americans.
After the threat of Indian raids abated somewhat, the Proctors moved to
Estill's Station located near present day Richmond. James Estill, for whom
Estill County is named, established the station, a group of cabins clustered
for better protection. While living at Estill's Station, two more fateful
events occurred in Proctor's life. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church and
participated in the famous Indian battle known as Estill's Defeat.
Francis Asbury ordained him as a preacher and Proctor eventually founded one of
the first Churches in the eastern section of Kentucky. He remained faithful in
his religion to the end while performing hundreds of pioneer marriages,
funerals and revivals.
It was his heroic actions in the battle of Estill's Defeat that immortalized
Joseph Proctor.
A Wyandot raiding party attacked Estill's Station while most of the men were
away from the settlement. One girl was killed and scalped. Learning of the
attack, Captain James Estill and about twenty-five men, including Proctor, set
out in pursuit. They caught up with the raiding party of a similar number
braves at Little Round Mountain in Montgomery County. A fierce fight ensued and
some of Estill's men took flight, leaving the pursuers outnumbered. Estill
engaged a large Indian in a hand-to-hand struggle, and was killed when his
opponent drove a knife into his heart. Proctor, on the other side of a creek
was watching the fatal struggle but was unable to get a clear shot at the
Indian. Once Estill fell, exposing his assailant, Proctor immediately shot the
Indian. Proctor regretted the killing and would never awknowledge the incident.
In the same battle Captain William Irvine, for whom the town of Irvine is
named, was seriously wounded and faced imminent death when Proctor yelled at
him to mount James Estill's horse and ride to a spot where Proctor could reach
him. After several tries, Irvine was able to mount his slain Captain's horse
and ride to a secluded spot out of range from Indian rifles. True to his word
Joseph Proctor went to his badly injured comrade and transported him to the
fort at Bryan's Station, some forty miles distant. William Irvine survived and
lived for some forty more years and had the county seat of Estill County named
after him.
Until recently, Joseph Proctor, probably the greatest hero of the battle,
remained largely unknown. The once thriving town of Proctor in Lee County was
named for him but that community has been eclipsed by Beattyville.
Proctor died on December 3, 1844. His funeral procession contained a military
escort and more than a thousand mourners.
Unfortunately, Joseph and Polly Proctor were buried in unmarked graves near the
Methodist Church on Main Street in Irvine. At the time of his death, the County
appropriated funds for a marker, but the stone was never erected. At present,
an effort is underway to raise money for a suitable monument to Estill County's
greatest hero.