Stickleyville in Lee County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Death of Boone's Son
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 5, 2010
1. Death of Boone's Son Marker
In this valley, on 10 Oct. 1773, Delaware, Shawnee, and Cherokee Indians killed Daniel Boone's eldest son, James, and five others in their group of eight settlers en route to Kentucky. Separated from Daniel Boone's main party, the men had set up camp near Wallen's Creek. At dawn the Indians attacked and killed James Boone, Henry Russell, John and Richard Mendenhall (brothers), a youth whose last name was Drake, and Charles (one of two slaves in the party). Isaac Crabtree and Adam, a slave, escaped. This event prompted Boone and his party to abandon their first attempt to settle Kentucky.
Erected 2000 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-32.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 10, 1773.
Location. 36° 42.532′ N, 82° 54.527′ W. Marker is in Stickleyville, Virginia, in Lee County. It is at the intersection of Wilderness Road (Daniel Boone Trail) (U.S. 58/421) and
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 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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fanny Dickenson Scott Johnson (a few steps from this marker); Long Hunters (approx. 1.3 miles away); Welcome to Lee County Virginia (approx. 1.8 miles away); Scott County / Lee County (approx. 1.8 miles away); Daniel Boone Trail (approx. 5.7 miles away); Lost No Longer! (approx. 5.7 miles away);
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 5, 2010
2. Markers at Stickleyville
More about this marker. This marker replaced a previous one also numbered K-32 and titled Death of Boone's Son which read, "Near here, October 10, 1773, James Boone, son of Daniel Boone, and Henry Russel, members of Boone's party on the way to Kentucky, were surprised and killed by Indians."
Also see . . .
1. The Location of the Massacre of James Boone and Henry Russell. Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association website entry (Submitted on March 8, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Revisiting the Powell Valley Massacre of 1773. The article discusses the location of the attack in 1773 in an effort to identify the resting place of those who were killed on Sunday morning, October 10th. (Submitted on August 12, 2024, by Luke Moore of Paducah, Kentucky.)
3. Beyond The Forest. The Wilderness Road, as it passes through the Powell Valley, was once called the Kentucky Road by those who followed its path to the Cumberland Gap. In an effort to better understand the tragic event of 1773, Beyond The Forest takes a closer look at the location of the old trail which the small party were following. Historical narratives, journals and maps are used to get a clearer picture of where the old trail ran, and how it changed over time, becoming the famous Wilderness Road of today. (Submitted on May 28, 2026, by Luke Moore of Paducah, Kentucky.)
4. The old Kentucky Road in the Powell Valley. In the mid-1770's to early 1800's tens of thousands of westbound immigrants followed this ancient pathway through the Powell Valley, with hopes of a better life beyond. This map encapsulates the culmination of dozens of historical references by personal memoirs and journals of those who passed through, giving the location of the old trail which they followed. Included in those travelers was the ill-fated Boone and Russell party of 1773.
This map shows the old trail that tens of thousands of westbound immigrants followed as they passed through the Powell Valley in the late 18th century, known as the Kentucky Road. Leaving behind their old homes on the eastern seaboard, families and friends grouped together and forged their way west to the Cumberland Gap, and points beyond, in search of a better life.(Submitted on September 18, 2026, by Luke Moore of Paducah, Kentucky.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 17,478 times since then and 1,188 times this year. Last updated on August 12, 2024, by Luke Moore of Paducah, Kentucky. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 20, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
