How did Jacob Aaron Westervelt die?
Jacob Aaron Westervelt
Jacob Aaron Westervelt (January 20, 1800– February 21, 1879) was a renowned and prolific shipbuilder who constructed 247 vessels[2] of all descriptions during his career of over 50 years. From 1853 until 1855 he was Mayor of New York City.[4][5]
Westervelt massacre
In 1780, Hendrick Banta led a large contingent of Dutch from Pennsylvania into Kentucky, where they began the settlement of Low Dutch Station along Beargrass Creek. In the spring of 1780, Dutchman Jacobus Westervelt and his family arrived in Kentucky County, Virginia. They were among the earliest wave of frontier settlers. The Westervelts were one of the founding families of the Low Dutch Station settlement. However, by the summer of 1780, the Westervelt family prepared to move to Harrod's Town, Kentucky. The region was becoming increasingly dangerous with Indian raids. Likewise, the British invasion of 750 men from the Province of Quebec, led by Captain Henry Bird, resulted in many settlers seeking safer territory. The British army crossed into Kentucky on May 25, 1780. On June 21, 1780, Jacobus Westervelt purchased 400 acres of land in the area of Harrod's Town. Shortly thereafter, Jacobus Westervelt hired John Thixton as a guide for the caravan. The Dutch families gathered in Low Dutch Station the following weekend, setting out on June 26, 1780.