Toward the end of the war, he furthered this opposition by helping an Indian force attack a troop of U.S. soldiers on their return from New Orleans. Girty was also present for the torture and execution of Colonel William Crawford, but different accounts offer two opposing positions on Simon’s response—one witness claimed that he enjoyed the colonel’s suffering, while another insisted that he did all he could to prevent it, ceasing to resist the Native Americans only when his life was also threatened. The first account was used during and after Girty’s life to vilify him, but the latter might in fact be closer to the truth; Simon was said to have saved the lives of many American prisoners, often by putting himself in danger as well.
After the war’s conclusion, Girty moved to Canada and settled in present-day Ontario. His son was killed during the War of 1812, but Girty himself did not become directly involved in the war. By this time completely blind, he passed away in 1818.
Born | |
Assisted a large group of Native Americans in attacking and killing a U.S. force. | |
Son served in the war of 1812 | |
Died. |
Backwoodsmen of Kentucky in | Indian History for Young Folks by Francis S. Drake |
Gallant Defense in | Historical Tales, Vol I: American by Charles Morris |
Statesman, publisher, inventor, and non-conformist. Founding father, and benefactor of Philadelphia. | |
Frontiersman and Indian fighter who became the first governor of the state of Tennessee. | |
Hero of the Revolutionary War, but tragically turned traitor. He escaped to the British before discovery. |