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