James
McGuire was born in Fermanagh
Ireland in 1734.
In 1753, he came to
America and settled
down in
Albemarle country VA. In
1754, He married Margaret Black. From this union they had one child.
In April
1775, McGuire was part of Daniel Boone’s first expedition through the
Cumberland Gap. McGuire was one of the
first pioneers to travel the Gap. After his arrival at the
Kentucky River, McGuire helps build the
settlement of Boonesborough.
In 1778,
McGuire participated in the Great siege of Boonesborough, when 400
Indians along with 12 former French soldiers of The French and Indian
War began a siege outside the gates of Boonesborough. This was a half
hearted attempt by former French soldiers to form a new French Colony
west of the
Appalachians.
The French
fired fireballs at the fort from their cannons. They were hoping to burn
the fort down to the ground. After 13 days, the French and Indians gave
up their attempt and retreated into the woods. The Indians suffered 40
killed and hundreds wounded. The Pioneers at Boonesborough suffered only
2 casualties.
On August
19, 1782, McGuire participated in the last Revolutionary war battle
fought in
Kentucky. At the battle of
Blue licks, several Hundred Shawnee ambushed 180 Kentuckians led by
Daniel Boone. Boone met with the other officers and decided it was
better to fight than be branded a coward. &2 Kentuckians were killed
during the battle including McGuire.
After the
battle, McGuire’s body was brought back to Boonesborough and buried
Close to
their house. In 1810 Boonesborough became the first Ghost town of the
Western frontier. McGuire’s wife Margaret and daughter Christina moved
to present day Whitley county where most of
McGuire’s descendents live today.