Near Ewing in Lee County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Pioneer Graves
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, September 12, 2023
1. Pioneer Graves Marker
This marks the burial place of a party of white settlers who were surprised in camp and slain by Indians at daybreak, October 10, 1773. Those killed were James Boone, son of Daniel Boone; Henry Russell, son of Capt. William Russell; Robert and Richard Mendenhall, brothers; and another unnamed white man. Two escaped, Isaac Crabtree, a white man, and Adam, a negro slave of Russell. Boone and Russell buried their sons and others at the scene of the tragedy, and gave up temporarily the first effort of white men to settle Kentucky.
Erected July 10, 1951, by M. Wheeler Kesterson, a native of Lee County Virginia, age 59 years, and a descendant of Mary Russell.
Erected 1951 by M. Wheeler Kesterson.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Colonial Era • Exploration • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is October 10, 1773.
Location. 36° 37.69′ N, 83° 30.347′ W. Marker is near Ewing, Virginia, in Lee County. It is at the intersection of Norray Road (County Route 684) and Wilderness Road (U.S. 58), on the right when traveling east on Norray
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lee County Code Breakers (approx. one mile away); Brig. Gen. Joseph Martin (approx. 1.2 miles away); Dedicated to the Memory of General Joseph Martin (approx. 1.2 miles away); John Ball (approx. 3 miles away); White Rocks (approx. 3½ miles away); Hiking Up to White Rocks (approx. 4.2 miles away); William H. Starnes: Agricultural Educator (approx. 5.4 miles away); Daniel Boone Trail
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, September 12, 2023
2. Pioneer Graves Marker
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, September 12, 2023
3. Pioneer Graves Marker
the cemetery is in the grove of trees, on the top of the hill, behind the marker
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, September 12, 2023
4. Pioneer Graves Marker
nearby road sign on US 58
Credits. This page was last revised on September 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2023, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 841 times since then and 100 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 18, 2023, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
