Individual Details
Leonard HELMS
(1729 - 1782)
First name also shown as Zacc.
According to a depostition of Edward Parker on 5 Feb 1833 Leonard Helm died on Beargrass Creek (Louisville, KY) of consumption or some other bilgious desease in 1782. John Jones, nephew of Leonard's daughter Sarah, wrote in a deposition on 10 Jun 1851 "I always was informed he died from taking some improper medicine, at or near Louisville after the return of the expedition from Illinois & this was the general reputation in the family & country."
Leonard Helm's will was signed May 22, 1782 and proven June 4, 1782 so he died sometime in between those dates. I have not found any other documents about his death except for an undated "request for blank musket Cartridges" in George R. Clark's papers.
There is evidence that Leonard Helm served in Dunmores War of 1774 against the Indians. Because of the friendship and his knowledge of Indian affairs, in 1779 Col. George Rogers Clark made Helm the Commander of Fort Vincennes. Captain Helm created the flag used by the Illinois Regiment and was flown over Fort Vincennes (IN). He was left with a small detachment to protect the fort from an attack by Gov. Hamilton. In 1780 Captain Helm was an Indian Agent and helped establish Fort Jefferson on the Mississippi River. The troops nearly starved while there and two letters written by Captain Helm to Col. Slaughter can be found at the Library of Virginia. About a month before he died Helm signed a Petition to make legal marriages performed by civil authorities. This petition can also be found at the Library of Virginia. I have in my possession many images of documents relating to Captain Helm's ancestors and descendants.
LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF LEONARD HELM:
I Leonard Helm of Jefferson County and State of Virginia do make and ordain this my last will & Testament that manner and form following viz. I divide unto my children Sally, Achilles & Molly Helm in equal distribution of all my lands debts and accounts in the Western department of Virginia and if either of my said children should die before they come of age or marry it is then my desire that their proportion of said estate be equally divided between the surviving Children or their heirs. Lastly I constitute and appoint my friends William Pope, Benjamin Pope and Henry Floyd whole & sole Executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have thereunto duly Fixed & Sealed this twenty second day of May anno Domi one thousand seven hundred and eighty two. (signed) Leonard Helm
Sealed and acknowledged in presence of Wm McCraken, Joseph Archer, Wm Johnston, Meredith Price
At a court held for Jefferson County on the 4th June 1782 the above will proved and admitted to record. Teste Meredith Price Clk Jeff Court.
On July 2, 1782 his estate was appraised as "Two Coats and one waistcoat, 5 pounds; one hatt, 3 S, one pair Shoes, 3 S, 1 Blankett 14 S for a total of 5 Pounds & 12 Shillings. Such was the estate of a man who fought Indians, the British and harsh environments so that the United States could ultimately add the States of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and part of Minnesota. He died heavily in debt because the government had not paid him for his services in the Revolutionary War. He had indorsed bills for the debts of Virginia in the defense of the West and it took many years before his heirs could get the bounty lands due him.
According to a depostition of Edward Parker on 5 Feb 1833 Leonard Helm died on Beargrass Creek (Louisville, KY) of consumption or some other bilgious desease in 1782. John Jones, nephew of Leonard's daughter Sarah, wrote in a deposition on 10 Jun 1851 "I always was informed he died from taking some improper medicine, at or near Louisville after the return of the expedition from Illinois & this was the general reputation in the family & country."
Leonard Helm's will was signed May 22, 1782 and proven June 4, 1782 so he died sometime in between those dates. I have not found any other documents about his death except for an undated "request for blank musket Cartridges" in George R. Clark's papers.
There is evidence that Leonard Helm served in Dunmores War of 1774 against the Indians. Because of the friendship and his knowledge of Indian affairs, in 1779 Col. George Rogers Clark made Helm the Commander of Fort Vincennes. Captain Helm created the flag used by the Illinois Regiment and was flown over Fort Vincennes (IN). He was left with a small detachment to protect the fort from an attack by Gov. Hamilton. In 1780 Captain Helm was an Indian Agent and helped establish Fort Jefferson on the Mississippi River. The troops nearly starved while there and two letters written by Captain Helm to Col. Slaughter can be found at the Library of Virginia. About a month before he died Helm signed a Petition to make legal marriages performed by civil authorities. This petition can also be found at the Library of Virginia. I have in my possession many images of documents relating to Captain Helm's ancestors and descendants.
LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF LEONARD HELM:
I Leonard Helm of Jefferson County and State of Virginia do make and ordain this my last will & Testament that manner and form following viz. I divide unto my children Sally, Achilles & Molly Helm in equal distribution of all my lands debts and accounts in the Western department of Virginia and if either of my said children should die before they come of age or marry it is then my desire that their proportion of said estate be equally divided between the surviving Children or their heirs. Lastly I constitute and appoint my friends William Pope, Benjamin Pope and Henry Floyd whole & sole Executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have thereunto duly Fixed & Sealed this twenty second day of May anno Domi one thousand seven hundred and eighty two. (signed) Leonard Helm
Sealed and acknowledged in presence of Wm McCraken, Joseph Archer, Wm Johnston, Meredith Price
At a court held for Jefferson County on the 4th June 1782 the above will proved and admitted to record. Teste Meredith Price Clk Jeff Court.
On July 2, 1782 his estate was appraised as "Two Coats and one waistcoat, 5 pounds; one hatt, 3 S, one pair Shoes, 3 S, 1 Blankett 14 S for a total of 5 Pounds & 12 Shillings. Such was the estate of a man who fought Indians, the British and harsh environments so that the United States could ultimately add the States of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and part of Minnesota. He died heavily in debt because the government had not paid him for his services in the Revolutionary War. He had indorsed bills for the debts of Virginia in the defense of the West and it took many years before his heirs could get the bounty lands due him.
Events
| Birth | 1729 | Prince William County, VA | |||
| Marriage | 1745 | Prince William County, VA - Sarah FURR | |||
| Death | 1782 | Jefferson County, KY |
Families
| Spouse | Sarah FURR (1747 - ) |
| Child | Sally HELMS (1774 - 1835) |
| Child | Achilles Zachariah HELMS (1748 - 1797) |
| Child | Molly HELMS (1771 - 1851) |