Read an article on the family here.  More research needs to be done on this line.

John Thickston Sr. Surname: Thickston Given Name: John, Sr. Death: Apr 1807 in Bullitt County Kentucky.

THE LOW DUTCH COMPANY "A History of the Holland Dutch Settlements of the Kentucky Frontier" by Vincent Akers. Published in HALVE MAEN Vol LV NO. 2 Summer 1980 New York City pages 4 & 21

The settlers swarmed into the land east of Louisville on Beargrass Creek in present day Jefferson County. John Floyd built a station here in November 1779 on his 2,000 acre tract. This station, near present-day St. Matthews north of the creek on the west side of Breckinridge Lane, became the principal station of the area. By May 1780, five new stations were built along Beargrass and one on the South Fork. All of the stations except Hogland's are shown on John Filson's map.

In the summer of 1780 John and Christopher Westerfield decided to move their families to Harrodstown. They hired JOHN THICKSTON, one of Floyd's scouts, to guide the party and help carry the baggage on his two horses. About three o'clock on the Monday morning after they set out THICKSTON awoke to see three Indians looking at his gun which reflected the light of the camp fire. THICKSTON jumped up and seized the gun from one of the Indians. The Indian raised his tomahawk to strike, but THICKSTON knocked him down with the breech of the gun. The firing commenced with a volley that sounded like thunder. THICKSTON was shot across the back of his neck but cleared himself and ran until he stumbled over a log. Here he stopped to look back and could see the Indians throwing pack saddles and everything they could find into the fire to make a light. He heard the crackling of skulls, plundering and screaming. He rose again and ran until he came to Cler's Station near Bullitt's Lick guided by the crowing of the roosters.

John and Christopher Westerfield and two others were killed during the attack. Polly, Debby and Garret Westerfield and Betsy Swan, all children, were captured. Garret Westerfield was taken with a seizure or fit. This upset the Indians terribly until at length one of them stepped up and tomahawked the boy. Betsy Swan was wounded in the shoulder; the Indians thought too badly, so she too was tomahawked. Polly and Debby were the only prisoners taken. They were taken to Detroit where they were exchanged.

The survivors returned the next day and buried the dead in a great hole. Mary Westerfield and son Samuel were among those who escaped. The story they told upon their sad return to the New Holland Station was but a prelude to the horrors to come for the Dutch.

This account of the Westerfield massacre is based upon Rev. John Shane's interview with the daughter of John Thickston Draper Manuscript. At the end of his notes on this interview, Shane wrote that he "might have had another sitting with this lady, but she seemed of so lively an imagination, my confidence flagged". Although the embellishments of the Westerfield story may be part of this imagination, the event itself is well authenticated.

 

another version:

 

Hi Pat,

I finally got a hold of the Draper papers. Here's another version of the Malott captivity from a daughter of John Thickston. Her name was never mentioned in the file. The narrative is longer but deals mainly about the Thickston family.

Jim

Draper Manuscript Collection 13CC10-12
Runnels & Malottes Attacked – 1780.

My father was in Logan’s campaign. Came to Kentucky in the year 1780. Landed at Louisville in the month of March. Came from the South Branch of the Potomac. There were 3 boats in company, coming down. We were attacked at an island just below Pittsburgh, where the river was narrow. Captain Runnel’s had one boat for a family boat, and another in which he put his horses. There were but three families in that boat. Malottes and Hardin’s, and part of his things were in our boat, and Runnel’s. Runnells was a gentleman. Didn’t row any. The others were hired. He (Runnels) run into the mouth of the boat; right into danger.

 

My father, John Thickston (John Thickston) and John Pringle had the third. Capt. Runnel’s boat was taken, and all the men killed but one; (there were 7 or 8) and he was at the helm. Girty told him if he would come to, they wouldn’t hurt him. He did his best, and got to Mrs. Hardin, who was taken, said they burned him next day. (They) Mrs. Malotte, and 6 children, were also taken. Had one child shot, I think. Girty took the oldest one, who was a right pretty girl, for a wife. Said to be the prettiest woman in Detroit. This was Simon Girty. Coonrod Coleman and another man, went to Detroit to get these exchanged. Brought back Mrs. Hardin, (her husband, John Hardin was on our boat at the time, we were weak handed, had but 3 men, and he sometimes came to help us,) Mr. Malotte and one child, a little boy. (Mrs. Malotte died while out.) He (who?) lived after his return (Mr. Malotte’s return) at the Spring Station, in Ky, 6 miles from Louisville.

 

There were 3 Hardins; William, (went by the name of Hairy Hardin, there grew so much hair on him lived up somewhere towards Baird’s old town.) and Thos: (steered the horse boat.) brothers, and John their cousin, in ours. Wm: got into the canoe attached to the horse boat. Reynolds was a drunken sort of man, then half (half?) through his liquor. The wind was high, and the rest didn’t want to start from Pittsburgh. But he would, and when he went, his horse boat had to go, and then we went along.

 

The winds drove the boats right into shore. Wm. Hardin had a canoe, and went into shore (from the horse boat,) every now and then to see if he could see any tracks. When he got down to this narrow place from the island, he gave the alarm, saw the tracks. The Indians rushed down. Reynolds was so careless and rash, he was almost the first one killed. Had two black-girls, his wife, and all his family killed. Girty called to Tom Hardin to steer in and come to shore (and there shouldn’t be a man hurt). Hardin swore. Said he would see him in H--ll first. Girty then said he would have her (the boat) in half an hour, and no thanks to him. “Back away!” said Hardin, using most profane language. Two horses and a man were killed, and another man wounded, meanwhile the horses kept up a most dreadful kicking.

 

Runnel’s boat was drawn to the Indians coming in up to their necks in water to draw it to. After we got away, we expected they would get in that & pursue. But supposed that it was only the whiskey they found in that boat, that persecuted them from pursuing. With this boat fastened to, they tolled in another. While they were in the boat, the Indians rushed down upon them. The 22 boats was about to go in, but took the alarm.

 

 

Pennsylvania Run Cemetery, Louisville, KY ~ Pictures Courtesy Brenda Stillwell of KY
Elizabeth Thixton Born 13 March 1839 ?? death date Sept 1836	John Thixton Born 22 Jul 1793 Died 24 March 1852	William M. Thixton died 10 June 1851 son of John & Jane Thixton 31 yrs, 2m, 6d
William Thixton Born April 25, 1795	William Wallis Son of William & Elzabeth Thixton Born Oct	Jane Thixton
George F. Thixton Son of William M. & ______ Thixton Died may 22, 1855	Pennsylvania Run Church & Cemetery	Christopher D. S. Thixton Son of William and Elizabeth Thixton Born April 10, 1830 Died Jan 10 1857

Will Book A page 47 Bullitt County Kentucky #25
John Thickston Will written 24 Jan 1807 - proved 13 April 1807

In the name of God amen I John Thickston of the County of Bullitt and State of Kentucky being weak in body but of a sound and perfect mind and memory blessed be Almight God for the same do make and publish this my Last will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Mary Thickston all my personal Estate of evering kind during her natural life and after her death what of my estate remains to be eaqually divided between my eight children William Thickston Rebecca Rose, Sarah Parks, Abraham Thickston, John Thickston, Elizabeth Bass, Mary Hall, Joseph Thickston my bodily heirs in Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Twenty fourth day of January one Thousand eight hundred and seven.

Signed and sealed by the Testator
in the presents of us who have sub-
scribed our names as Witnesses John Thickson SEAL

John Drake
James X Holslaw
Joseph Pancake

At a county Court begun and held for Bullitt County on the 13th day of April 1807 This the Last will and Testament of John Thickston deceased was proven by the oaths of the three subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded which is done accordingly TESTE Frederic W. S. Georgson

Note: the above as read from the original will by Ron & Carol Snider, Rt. 1 Box 221, Queen City, MO

Note: marriage record in Middlesex County New Jersey
John Thickston to Mary Martin 1 May 1743
(no proof that this is our John. Maybe this is John's parents ???)

Notes for MARY: 16 January 1813
Bullitt Co. Deed Book C p. 95

Know all men by these presence that we William Thickston and Joseph Thickston and Matthew Bass and William Hall of the County of Bullitt and State of Kentucky who are the heirs of Mary Thickston deceased she leaving no person to settle her business and collect money due her we have made constituted and appointed and by these presence do make ordain constitute and appoint our trusty friend Martin Gentry of the County and State aforesaid our true and lawful attorney in our name to settle all debts and collect all money due and sell the property of said Mary Thickston deceased we do whereby put all power in our attorney to act for us in collecting of debts paying all just demands that shall appear against the said Mary Thickston deceased and settle with all legatees and give each one their portion of the estate of Mary Thickston deceased given under our hands and fix our seals this 16 January 1813.

(signed) in the presence of
William Thickston - Clifton Hall
Joseph Thickston - Charles Hall
William Bass  - Samuel Gentry
William Hall Lewis ?

Early Kentucky Settlers: The Records of Jefferson County, Kentucky
from the Filson Club History Quarterly published in 1988 by the Genealogical Publishing Co. Inc. Baltimore

p. 19

At a Court held for Jefferson County the 3d December 1781—It appearing to the Court that the following Persons are intitled [sic] by virtue of an Act of Assembly passed May last, to four hundred acres of land each, Orders that the County Surveyor lay off to them accordingly viz:

John Thixton  and 209 other names including William Hall and John Martin

p. 41

A poll taken April 2’d [1782] for Delegates of the Assembly of Virginia—
[voting for John May]              John Thixton
[voting for Isaac Marrison ] John Thixton

p. 56

A list of good & chattels, (the estate of William Spangler deceased) apprised by James Stergus, James Quertermas, & John Thixton for Margarett Spangler administrix, this 7^th day of July 1782

Kentucky Marriage Records:

Marriage Book 5 page 338 Thomas H. THIXTON, father consents in person, to Rebeeca FARMER
daughter of Mrs. Mary FARMER, witnesses John HAYS and Henry Y. HALL. License & Bond 10/31/1853 - Marriage 11/3/1853 by Elijah SUTTON

Marriage Book 5 page 210 William CUNNINGHAM to Priscilla FARMER daughter of Mary FARMER,
Witnesses S. THIXTON and B. FARMER. License & Bond 6/1/1853 Marriage 6/4/1853 by W. RANDOLPH

Marriage Book 4 page 209 William M. THIXTON to Huldah Elizabeth MAPLE, father George W. MAPLE, License & Bond 8/21/1848 Married 8/23/1848 by Joseph S. SCOBEE

Marriage Book 5 page 192 Samuel THIXTON to Huldah E. THIXTON, widow of William THIXTON, bond by George J. MAPLE. Witnesses George MAPLE and Eliza WILLIAMSON License & Bond 3/3/1853 Marriage 3/5/1853 W. HOLMAN

Thixton, Abraham & Elizabeth (Field)
s/o John Thixton
23 Feb 1804 m. Elizabeth Field in Bullitt Co. KY
1803 tax list of Bullitt Co. KY
1807 named in father's Will probated in Bullitt Co. KY 10 Apr 1807
1810 tax list of Bullitt Co. KY Elizabeth is counted with no tithables
100 acres on Cedar Creek in Jefferson Co. KY
1810 census Bullitt Co. KY

Thickston, Abraham
1810 census Washington Co. KY

Thixton, Elizabeth
1810 census Bullitt Co. KY (spelled Theakston!)

Thackston, Jacob
1810 census Mercer Co. KY

Thixton, John & Charity (Bass)
1 Jan 1790 m. Charity Bass in Bulllitt Co. KY
1792 tax list for Nelson Co. KY (district becomes part of Bullitt Co.)
1797 tax list of Bullitt Co. KY 1 white males over 21. No land.
1803 tax list of Bullitt Co. KY
1807 named in father's Will probated in Bullitt Co. KY 10 Apr 1807
(is this the correct John named in the will?)

Thixton, John & Mary
1792 tax list for Nelson Co. KY (district becomes part of Bullitt Co.)
1797 tax list of Bullitt Co. KY 1 white male over 21, 1 16-21. No land.
1800 Will probated in Bullitt Co. KY 10 Apr 1807
1810 tax list of Bullitt Co. KY Mary is counted with no tithables and no land (2 horses)

Thixton, John
1844 Ordered that Walker Prewitt, William Thixton, John Thixton and Andrew Young or any three
of them appraise the estate of Elizabeth Finley 11 Nov 1844 [Jefferson Co. KY Court Order Book 19]

Thixton, John
abt. 1792 born
16 Apr 1852 died Daviess Co. KY - called "Sr." in the Daviess Death Register. Occupation:
"wharf boatman" at Owensboro

Thixton, Joseph
1807 named in father's Will probated in Bullitt Co. KY 10 Apr 1807
1809 tax list of Bullitt Co. KY 1 white male over 21.
1810 tax list of Bullitt Co. KY with 1 white tithable. No land.
1810 census Bullitt Co. KY
1825 tax list of Bullitt Co. KY with 1 white male over 21. No land
1834 tax list of Bullitt Co. KY with 1 white male over 21, no land
1835 tax list of Bullitt Co. KY with 1 white male over 21. No land.

Thixton, Lewis
1834 tax list of Bullitt Co. KY with 1 white male over 21, no land
1835 tax list of Bullitt Co. KY with 1 white male over 21. No land.

Thixton, Stanton F.
1825 tax list of Bullitt Co. KY with 1 white male over 21. No land.

Thixton, William
29 Aug 1785 Isaac Williams vs. William Thackston for Trespass (Nelson Co. Court Order Book)
1792 tax list for Nelson Co. KY (district becomes part of Bullitt Co.)
1797 tax list of Bullitt Co. KY 1 white male over 21
1803 tax list of Bullitt Co. KY
1807 named in father's Will probated in Bullitt Co. KY 10 Apr 1807
1809 tax list of Bullitt Co. KY 1 white male over 21. No land
1810 tax list of Bullitt Co. KY with 1 white tithable. No land.
1810 census Bullitt Co. KY

Thixton, William
1844 Ordered that Walker Prewitt, William Thixton, John Thixton and Andrew Young or any three
of them appraise the estate of Elizabeth Finley 11 Nov 1844 [Jefferson Co. KY Court Order Book 19]

From here see the Hall line.