Robert Patterson, pioneer, soldier, citizen, the son of Francis Patterson, of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, was born on March 23, 1753, in a cabin on the Military road, which traversing the western area of the State, passed under the shadow of Big Cove Mountain. At seventeen he enlisted with the Lancaster Mounted Rifles; afterward, in 1774, he joined the Pennsylvania rangers for a six months scouting service. They penetrated to the Scioto Valley. There was desultory fighting and Robert had his horse. shot from under him and aided in the capture of a Mingo Chief. At Pickaway Plains he met with noted hunters from Kentucky: Boone, Kenton, Harrod and Logan, whose description of the vast and fertile lands south of the Ohio filled the young adventurer with desire to go there. Upon his return to his father's home, the enterprise was decided upon. Francis Patterson presented his son with a complete hunting outfit and a horse and sent him on his way, with the understanding that Robert was to preempt land for his father as well as himself in the Kentucky. wilderness. At Fort Pitt he joined a party which was being made up to go down the Ohio River. They landed, after a two weeks voyage, at Salt Lick and proceeded by marches to Royal Spring (Georgetown) where he spent the winter with the McClellands. In November, 1775, Patterson and a hunter named Sterrett wandered many miles from the fort into new territory to the South and on the 9th of the month camped on the banks of Cane Run. The next day they came to a fine spring which so charmed the young hunter that he built a rough shack, marked R. P. on a number of trees and F. P. on others, thus laying claim to the land in that vicinity in his own and his father's rights. In April, 1776, he returned to his claim and erected a stouter cabin, which, however, he did not occupy at the time. He came and went from Harrod's and McClelland's to his claim, clearing the land and raising crops to establish his certain right. In October, 1776, he and five other young men made a journey by canoe up the Ohio to Fort Pitt in search of ammunition for the forts. This expedition was attacked by the Indians, two of the hunters killed and Robert Patterson wounded with a tomahawk in the side. After terrible suffering and privations, he was rescued by a party and taken to Fort Pitt to recover. From there he went to his father's home and induced his brother William to go to Kentucky, find his claim and work it. After his return to Kentucky, Robert joined the fighting force of the District, was engaged in ten battles all told, and was wounded ten times. He was in command under Colonel Bowman in the expeditions up the Mad River Valley, and was wounded at the battle of the Blue Licks and barely escaped with his life. In 1778, George Rogers Clark planned the celebrated Illinois Campaign, and sent for Robert Patterson to join him. He (Patterson) was put in command over seventeen rangers whose duty it was to scout the country, ahead of the main force, and report conditions to the commander. From information thus obtained the attack and capture, first of Kaskaskia, then of Cahokia, were successful. In return for his prowess, the government of Virginia granted a tract of land to Patterson and instructed him to erect a fort somewhere in the center of Kentucky. The site of his own home seemed the most natural place. Therefore, with fourteen men, he proceeded to raise a log block house and to name it Lexington. This was in March-April, 1779. In 1780, Robert Patterson again returned to Pennsylvania, married Elizabeth Lindsay, of Falling Springs, and brought her home with him to the Lexington Fort. When the Indian troubles were over, he built a stone house (still standing), and six children were born there. In 1804, Robert Patterson lost much property by going security for a friend and he felt that a change would benefit them all. He had united with three men and purchased a large tract of land which afterwards became Cincinnati. But the Valley of the Miami held greater attractions for him and to Dayton he therefore went and made it his permanent home. He died in 1827 and is buried in a lot overlooking the city. |