Salvisa Sam
(written by )
After years of research, and correspondence with numerous other McAfee researchers, I've learned there is some degree of confusion as to the true identity of Salvisa Sam. Several are under the assumption that he was the pioneer brother, Samuel McAfee. This error may be attributed to Samuel McAfee the pioneer being mentioned on the roadside historical marker not more that a couple hundred yards from the home of Salvisa Sam.
Salvisa Sam is in fact Samuel McAfee. Son of the pioneer Robert McAfee. This illustrious nickname being assigned to him perhaps long after he was dead and gone by someone of his line in order to distinguish him from any other of the many Samuel's throughout the generations.
Samuel McAfee was born in Virginia 1773, came to Kentucky as a child in 1779, Was present 1781 when McAfee Station suffered an Indian attack. In 1793, as a young man accompanied his father and brother in law into the Indiana Territory to survey the White River area at a time when any white man north of the Ohio would be murdered on sight. In 1795 went again with his father to New Orleans to sell goods produced by the clan, and on this trip witnessed the attempted murder and eventual death of Robert. Alone in a foreign Country, Samuel extradited himself with fortune in tact, returning to the United States and traveling overland to his home on Salt River.
I hope this little note clears up any misunderstanding about the true identity of who Salvisa Sam actually was, but the main purpose of this communication is to deliver the promised military record that I have for him. Wedged in between the events listed above, young Sam was also an Indian fighter. A brief mention of this fact can be found in "Life and Times of Robert B. McAfee", but while conducting my research on the family I came across the actual muster roll from that service. I'm sure that other names included might be of interest to some as they include early Anderson and Mercer County settlers, so I'm transcribing the entire record which reads as follows. By the way, this enlistment includes the Battle of Fallen Timbers Aug. 20, 1794 in which the Kentucky Battalion occupied the left flank of the Army while the regular army dragoons the right. The mounted men were in effective against the Indians who hid behind a cluster of fallen trees. General Wayne ordered the infantry t o attack with bayonets, driving the red men from their defenses. The Indians raced away from the attack headed toward sanctuary of the nearby British Fort Miami, running so fast that the mounted troops could scarcely catch up. The battle lasted only a few minutes and resulted in American control of the Ohio Territory.
Payroll of a company of mounted Volunteers commanded by Captain John Arnold,
Major Aquila Whitaker's Battalion, Kentucky Volunteers
Enlisted June 13 - Oct. 26, 1794
Captain Arnold, John.....Transferred to make up a company of spies
Lieut. Arnold,Stephen.136 days
Lieut. Lillard,Christopher.
Ensign Armstrong,William .
Sgt. Bennet,Richard. July 7 - Oct. 26 112 days
Sgt. McKee,William.
Sgt. Palmer,Henry.
Sgt. Striker,Phillip.
Cpl. Simpson,Joseph.
Cpl. Forsyth,Matthew.
Cpl. Jones,Fielding.
Cpl. McAfee,Samuel.
Privates
Abbott,William
Baker,James
Banta,Henry
Banta,Albert
Bunten,James
Bailey,John
Burden,Nathan
Baker,Reuben
Baker,Thomas
Buckhawn,George
Bennett,John
Burk,Richard
Bell, Reason
Choice,Sirus
Corn,Joseph
Corn,Aaron
Carr,Armstrong Transferred to Arnold's spies
Crockett,William transferred to Arnold's spies
Dickey,David
David,Charles
Davis,Samuel
Davis,Theodorus deserted
Devine,Andrew Transferred to Arnold's spies
Davis,John
Devine,John
Davis,Charles
Fitzgerald,John died
Gordon,Archabald
Gordon,John
Gibson,John
Higgins,William
Hibbs,Isaac
Jordan,John Transferred to Arnold's spies
Jordan,Patrick Transferred to Arnold's spies
Kyle,Joseph sold horse Sept. 15
Lazac,William
Langford,Larkin
Long,Abraham
Mitchell,Joseph F.
Munford,John
Minta,William
Millholland,John
McGuire,Joseph
McBrier,John
McBrier,George Died Sept. 24
McBrier,Hugh
Martin,Luling
Marrs,William
McGuire,Lawrence
McGuire,David
McClure,Staley
Martin,Joel Absent without leave
McAfee,James Absent without leave
McBride,William Transferred to Arnold's spies
McBride,Lapsley Transferred to Arnold's spies
McGuire,Jesse Transferred to Arnold's spies
Neal,Benjamin Died Oct. 16
Parr,Aaron
Roberson,William
Retchey,Stephen (1)
Roberson,John
Rooney,Patrick
Retchie,Stephen (2)
Roberson,Silos
Roe,John
Smith.Turner
Smith,Thompson
Smittzer,Polzer
Steele,William
Sutterley,John
Smith,Horace
Scott,James Transferred to Arnold's spies
Taylor,Hugh Transferred to Arnold's spies
Tracey,John Sold horse Aug. 10
Voores,James
Vanclieve,Benjamin
Vanderslice,Benjamin Transferred to Arnold's spies
Wood,William
Ward,Isaac Transferred to Arnold's spies
Arnold,John (2) Transferred to Arnold's spies
Demoree,David Sold horse Sept. 10
James,Thomas
Simmons,Thomas Not listed on org. muster
Russell,Alexander Not listed on org. muster