MOST FORGOTTEN HERO IN U.S. HISTORY, GEORGE ROGERS CLARK!

He has been called, the “Washington of the West”, the “Conquer of the Old Northwest”, and the “Founder of Louisville”, General George Rogers Clark. Clark, often referred to as “GRC”, is today buried in Cave Hill Cemetery, in Louisville, Kentucky, but his life that lead here to his final resting spot was nothing short of amazing. George Rogers Clark was born in 1752, near Charlottesville, Virginia. He was taught to survey land by his grandfather, and in 1771, he took his first surveying trip into Kentucky, four years before settlement, in 1774. He served as a Captain in the Virginia militia, in Lord Dunmore’s War. In June of 1776, he was sent as a delegate to the Virginia Legislature, to request them to make Kentucky a County, of Virginia. The next year was the “Year of Three Sevens”, or also known as, the “Bloody Sevens”, when there were numerous attacks on the Kentucky frontier, by Native Americans, that were backed by the British. The Colonial army could not spare men, or supplies to Kentucky, so Clark visited Governor Patrick Henry, to request that he allow him to lead a secret mission against the British outposts, north of the Ohio River. In 1778, GRC established an outpost on Corn Island, at the Falls of the Ohio. This settlement eventually became the city of Louisville, and in 1778, Clark led 175 men into British territory and captured three British forts, and several Native American villages. The British Lieutenant Governor William “the Hair Buyer” Harrison recaptured Vincennes, in modern day Indiana, but Clark led a surprise winter attack and retook the fort, and captured Hamilton in the process. Soon, the British and the Native Americans led more attacks on Kentucky, which prompted Clark and his men to lead counter attacks, invading, and defeating the Shawnee, near modern day Springfield, Ohio. Governor Patrick Henry then promoted Clark to Brigadier General, in command of all the troops in Kentucky, and the Illinois Territory. Washington assigned Clark to attack for Detroit, but plans fell out for the invasion when troops sent by Washington were defeated before arriving, in 1782. The British and Native Americans again attacked Kentucky at Bryan Station, and eventually defeated the Kentucky militia at the Battle of Blue Licks. Clark responded once again, by leading another retaliatory expedition into Ohio, that destroyed many villages along the Miami River. This was the last major expedition of the Revolutionary War. Treaties were made with the Native Americans north of the Ohio River, but raids into Kentucky continued. In 1786, Clark yet again led 1,200 men against Native American villages along the Wabash River. At this time, Clark moved to Indiana near modern day, Clarksville, and that's when his financial issues started. He had borrowed money to finance his military campaigns, and he even paid the army out of his own pocket, but poor record keeping caused Virginia, and the U.S. government to not reimburse him. In 1803, he moved to his retirement home on the Ohio River across from Louisville. While living there, his brother William Clark of the famous, Lewis and Clark Expedition, recruited the first members of the Corps of Discovery, which were known as the “Nine Young Men from Kentucky”. It was form GRC’s home place, that the Lewis and Clark expedition stepped off. In 1809, Clark suffered a stroke and fell into the fireplace. One of his legs was burned so badly, that it had to be amputated. He was sent to live with his sister and brother-in-law Major William Crogan, at Locust Grove farm, in Louisville. In 1812, Virginia awarded him a $400 a year pension, which is about $1,500 today. They also awarded him a ceremonial sword for his service. These rewards were not even close to reimbursing General Clark for all his sacrifices and to his country. In 1818, General George Rogers Clark suffered a second stroke and passed away. He was buried at Locust Grove, but he was moved to Cave Hill Cemetery, in 1869, and he is buried next to family. One import family member buried at the same location is, General Jonathan Clark, the second in command under General Lincoln, at the Revolutionary War battles of Brandywine, Monmouth, and others. General Jonathan Clark was once captured and eventually released. GRC is also buried next to one of his other brothers, Captain Edward Clark, and other family members. His youngest brother William Clark, from the Lewis and Clark expedition is buried in St. Louis. He has a magnificent monument at Vincennes, which was the site of Fort Sackville, one of Clark's biggest conquests. George Rogers Clark is a name that many people today have never heard of, but his impact on early America cannot be denied.
Check out our website: www.familytreenuts.org
#georgerogersclark #revolutionarywar #historychannel

[@kentuckydeb55]

So amazing to see others refer to General Clark as the forgotten hero in history. I have read much about George and his story is completely amazing. We visited his memorial at Vincennes and toured Locust Grove in Louisville. I am in awe of all he accomplished. Thank you for honoring this wonderful hero. I am so thrilled to have found this group.

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Thanks for your kind words, we have so many things on the way that may peek your interest!

[@defendfreedom777]

Wow so many unsung heroes that I never heard of,this life surely throws all of us some real curve balls.

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Sure does. So many heroes that most folks have never heard of.

[@defendfreedom777]

@@familytreenutshistorygenealogy ok I have watched several of your videos and I am convinced they are of the kind of content and quality that I will spend time watching and learning from, I heard you say you were a Col are you retired military active duty or a reserve? I am retired military myself.

[@JohnJohnson-zz8re]

Second time viewing this great work on a great American that so few really know about. I share your enthusiasm on GRC life's work! Thank you!

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Awesome, yes the more that I learn about GRC the more that I like him. We hope to make more videos about him soon. Thank you for your support!

[@eb4600]

It’s tragic that George Rogers Clark hasn’t been acknowledged for all of the heroic sacrifices he made and those affects on our country. He definitely made some mistakes, but can you imagine being a person in charge of 2/3s of the American Military without the benefit of today’s technology? It’s heart wrenching that so many of our country’s extraordinary heroes spent their golden years poor and forgotten.

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Yes it is hard to imagine how “forgotten” he was even in his own time. I’m sure that most of the population wasn’t as concerned with what was happening on the frontier.

[@noahcartermusic2546]

The Revolution was in some ways (but not all) an extension of the French and Indian war, of which this man was an important player. One thing I’ve learned from y’alls videos is that everything is so interconnected, especially in the colonial era. Men like Clark opened up Kentucky and the area for my family to settle and also affected the chain of events that led to the Revolution, directly or remotely.

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Yes you are right, they were so interconnected! The population was small and so many folks knew one another, especially those in leadership roles. In many ways it was a better time, there was a place for everyone, and they knew where the fit in.

[@barrykaiser5560]

THANKS for the Video

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Yes sir! We have a few more about him as well.

[@clf8668]

I love all your videos they all are my family relatives..who wouldn’t brave men and women 👩‍🌾

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Thanks for your support!

[@brucelanzerotti]

I reenact the Clark's Militia since 1976, he gained more territory for this country than any other military leader during the Rev War

[@GideonStahl]

Years ago I was able to read his journal. It was fascinating and awesome to read. My interest with George Rogers Clark started with the History Channel series, "Legends of the Old Northwest ", perhaps my favorite series from the History Channel. Thank you for shedding light on this unsung hero.

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

I’ll have to look that series up, thanks for that tip. It’s amazing that few know his name with all that he did in his lifetime.

[@marywright6759]

So surprised to see this as I am reading for the second time From Sea to Shining Sea by Alan Eckert. First half is about George and his family and second half about his brother and his journey west. It's a shame how our country has treated him. I read where some of his statues have been removed.

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

That book is definitely on the list! I hope we never forget General George Rogers Clark!

[@marywright6759]

@@familytreenutshistorygenealogy I got the wrong author. It is James Alaxander Thom who wrote it. Both authors have written excellent historical novels about American history.

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

@@marywright6759 Thanks for the update. I’ll never, ever run out of things to read lol.

[@eb4600]

That’s an awesome book. All of his books are worth the investment.

[@JohnJohnson-zz8re]

James Alexander Thom has several EXCELLENT books. One of which is about GRC.(Long Knife). And Sea to Shining Sea is a great historical work. You feel alongside these early patriots!

[@YourHistoryGirl]

Thank you for this video on George Rogers Clark! It's a shame that his name is rarely (or never) mentioned when people talk about the American Revolutionary War. This year marks the 245th anniversary of Clark's siege of Fort Sackville. For everyone watching: the George Rogers Clark National Memorial Park (shown here in the video) will be holding a ceremony on February 23rd to commemorate this event in American history.

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Wow, that is today! I would have loved to been there for that, but currently in Grenada. Yes GRC is likely the largest American hero. His contributions and successes has a tremendous impact on the success of our nation, especially our map!

[@judypierce7028]

This was just an awesome video Col. Martin! Clark is one of my favorite people to study. Locust Grove is such a great place to visit and was one place that Clark loved. Clark was a highly intelligent and creative man. I just wish that people living today would appreciate him more. I pray that all of his statutes that were removed will be replaced in their original location. He was a true Patriot!!

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

He was “The Man” in my book. So much success but even in his time was overlooked. I hope he is never forgotten.

[@GhostofSicklesleg]

Another great and informative video, thank you for posting

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Yes sir, thanks for your continued support!

[@colsc55]

My 1st cousin 6 x removed. I was just at cave hill last week.

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Really cool connection! Did you go by GRC’s grave?

[@coolcat5714]

He was a major badass ,special forces of that time …the British and the Indians had a syndicate that was terrorizing the whole area . He burned it down

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

He certainly deserves to be remembered! Definitely one of my favorites!

[@markzimmerman7279]

Thank you I really enjoyed this video

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Awesome, glad that guy enjoyed Mark.

[@daviddean952]

Thank you for keeping his memor alive. Our choldren need real heros like him.

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

You are right. For a man that lived such a life of service, he needs to be remembered.

[@ReeseBose-db8tj]

Learned about him in grade school back when they taught real history and live close to Vincennes.

[@Brigid.em.Galloway86]

My 5th Great Grandfather, Col. Patrick Brown was with General Clark on that Miami river expedition.

[@chrismaurer2075]

Another excellent history lesson with your excellent research in the background. Thank You !

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Thank you sir! So much on the way very soon!

[@chrismaurer2075]

@@familytreenutshistorygenealogyCan't wait.

[@grassroot011]

Read quite a bit about this General, and his exploits in the west. Also, he had that great warrior, Daniel Morgan of Morgan's Riflemen with him during the Vincennes campaign and other actions against the British and their allies. He with his men, Morgan along with them waded thought flooded swamps in winter to retake Fort Vincennes. Morgan contracted a bad case of Rheumatism , or Rheumatoid Arthritis which crippled him for life. But he still was able to lead forces against Lt. Col. Tarleton and beat them soundly at Cowpens So, Carolina 1781.

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

I love this part of history that so many don’t have a clue about. What an adventure those men went on!

[@richardperkins6132]

Awesome video on another great American hero. 😁👍👍

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Thank you sir! Tons on the way.

[@willmccarley4002]

He is the brother of my 7x great grandfather. Very cool stuff

[@bonnieprincecharlie6248]

Great video, it's unfortunate he is almost completely overshadowed by his brother, he played a very important part in the Western theater of the American Revolution, he was pretty ruthless against the Natives he fought, but then again they were just as ruthless against the Kentuckians, quarter was rarely given on either side it was a very brutal time. He was not always successful militarily though, he led several expeditions against Shawnee towns where he managed to drive the Shawnee out and destroy the towns but the Kentuckians took extremely high casualties.

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Such an interesting, important and almost forgotten person from history. What a life he, and those around him had.

[@rwm1980]

He is responsible for getting William his job, he was offer it first

[@MOJOESBROS]

Awesome video I glad you relate our hero's for the time they where in it was defiantly different than today it's not fair to judge them to today I hope there doesn't come a time we do the same to Eisenhower Bradley for Normandy

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Yes sir, we just can’t judge people of yesterday by todays standards. Thank you for watching, we have so much on the way.

[@christopherherndon4891]

I recommend that you expand on this story and bring in some of GR Clark’s subordinates including Captain Leonard Helm and Lt Todd. Lt Todd was the officer who brought British Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton to Virginia Government Patrick Henry. Todd was an ancestor of Mary Todd Lincoln.

[@RicardoCoyote]

Thanks for the video. My fourth great grandfather, Littlepaige Proctor fought with Genl. CLARK.

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Oh man, that is definitely something to be proud of! A Patriot on the frontier!

[@RicardoCoyote]

Very proud of lLittlepaige Proctor and there is an extremely complete autobiographical account of his Frontier exploits in the form of an application for a veteran's pension. It makes for extremely interesting reading.

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

@@RicardoCoyote Boy I bet. You are lucky to have that. Makes history real to you.

[@azgirl5265]

I just found out my 5th great GF served under the great Patriot, General George R. Clark.

[@TheIronDuke502]

Great Video!!!

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Thank you sir! I hope he is never forgotten!

[@TheIronDuke502]

@@familytreenutshistorygenealogy GRC still got a bit more credit than Squire Boone did in the shadow of Daniel Boone. But even Daniel Boone lived out his later years in Missouri embittered about how he pretty much lost out of everything in Kentucky after all that happened. Being famous is not all it is cracked up to be.

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

@@TheIronDuke502 That is very true. We plan to do several projects about Squire in the near future.

[@illumnatin08]

He’s not been forgotten their has actually been more books written about him then Daniel Boone

[@richardtaylor8495]

Honored to be an 4x8 cousin of Gen. George Rogers Clark

[@barrykaiser5560]

He was 117 yrs old then...WOW

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

He was 66. 1752-1818.

[@ronmaximilian6953]

Two very large degree, America keeping Kentucky and being awarded the Old Northwest and the treaty of Paris was the result of the actions of General George Rogers Clark. His legacy is Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan.

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Absolutely

[@stephenfields6236]

FYI- The British “Hair Buyer” was named Hamilton, not Harrison. Great Video otherwise. I use to be a volunteer at the Clark Memorial in Vincennes indiana and was friends with James A. Thom , whose book The Longknife is a must read for frontier history buffs. The Vincennes annual Rendezvous over Memorial Day weekend is worth attending

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Holy Smokes! Is that what I said? Well crap! The checks & edits these things go through & still made that error…

[@rhett1029]

He is my 1st Cousin x9 removed my 7th Great Grandfather who General Clark’s first cousin actually served under him in his revolutionary war campaigns

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Wow, that’s one to be proud of and I’m jealous. That’s an ancestor to be proud of Marine. Semper Fidelis.

[@rhett1029]

@@familytreenutshistorygenealogy The time period is definitely an interesting one for family history, Semper Fidelis!

[@jude8223]

Lewis was a friend of Clark family

[@jenniferlloyd7482]

6th great grand niece of General George Rogers Clark. General Johnathan Clark is my 6th Great Grandfather through Merrill Clark.

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Really, really cool! I pretty jealous lol.

[@jenniferlloyd7482]

@@familytreenutshistorygenealogy Just found out today! I was always told we were related to William Clark, but I chalked it up to family rumors until I did the research for myself!

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

@@jenniferlloyd7482 Well I suppose that you still are, just a niece. Where did you end up at? Missouri?

[@jenniferlloyd7482]

My family ended up in West Virginia. My great grandfather Merrill Clark lived in Point Pleasant, WV. I visited his farm often.

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

@@jenniferlloyd7482 Awesome. One of our first videos we made was at the battle there. We plan to redo that one later this summer.

[@rwm1980]

This is my relative

[@johnholtonjr.4557]

Jesus is God in the flesh. We are all sinners, so we deserve the punishment for sin, which is the wrath of God. However, Jesus loves sinners, even though they sinned against Him. Jesus suffered the punishment for sin so that sinners do not have to. He did this by suffering and dying on a cross. He rose again from the dead on the third day. Any sinner who fully trusts Jesus to save him or her is saved. That sinner has all of his or her sins forgiven. That sinner will never lose his or her salvation. That sinner will not go to hell. That sinner has eternal life.

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

That an interesting take on the story of General George Rogers Clark

[@sodality3970]

Fascinating history...I just wish you would dress more appropriately .

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Hmmm what do you mean?

[@kyleegloff5646]

Pantaloons

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

@@kyleegloff5646 Haha maybe so. I mean I’m wearing a polo and khakis. Can’t image someone being offended by that, lol.

[@alviescott8676]

I think he is a hero anybody who thinks different is woke or brain washed

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Certainly is a hero! He is definitely a person whose actions would have changed the face of our country and sadly is most folks have never heard of him.

[@jude8223]

Lewis was a friend of Clark family