Mary Ingles, Early American Heroine Part 3

Mary Ingles feared for her life and that of her two sons and unborn baby after being kidnapped by Indians on July 8, 1775.

She was distraught over the murder of her mother and her young nephew and the burning of her home. The quick turn of events was like a bad dream to her. It began that afternoon when the Indians attacked her home while the men of Draper’s Meadow were gathering wheat.

The Indians looted the home and tied the items on their horses before beginning their journey. They stole the weapons and ammunition of Draper’s Meadow so it was unlikely they would be followed.

The caravan of Indians and captives headed northward, traveling along the ridges. Mary noticed her sister-in-law Eliza Draper who trudged along with her wounded arm showing no sign of emotion since the old Indian bashed and scalped her baby that afternoon.

The Indians spoke some English so Mary could tell from their talk that their journey would be a long one. She heard her captors express concern that she, in her pregnant condition and her children may not be able to keep up. She heard two of the braves talking of scalping Eliza because she would sometimes linger. Mary had an opportunity to tell Eliza of her concern soon thereafter and Eliza made a noticeable improvement in her movement.

An hour or so after their journey began the Indians stopped at the home of Phillip Barger where they killed an old man and cut off his head, putting it into a sack. They resumed their journey until arriving at Sinking Creek where they stopped at the home of Philip Lybrook finding Lybrook’s wife alone at the cabin. Her husband had left for Draper’s Meadow along with William Preston who escaped death for the second time in one afternoon.

“Look inside and find a friend,” the old Indian directed Lybrook as he handed her the sack. “We have sack for your husband too.” It made her cringe.

The Indians took several items from the Lybrook cabin before continuing their trek. Mary knew she couldn’t continue to keep up with the others in her pregnant condition and carry her two year old son George too.. Her four-year old Thomas, grew increasingly tired and could not keep up. Mary could tell from the Indian’s glances that they were considering putting her children to death and Mary couldn’t bear the thought. She encouraged Thomas to keep up and prayed to herself over and over and at times found herself praying aloud.

Soon Thomas slowed down even more than before. Although wounded, Eliza Draper took George and carried him. Mary knelt down and instructed Thomas to climb on the horse behind her back so she could carry him. They continued for nearly two hours before they came upon another band of Indians, also with prisoners. The Indians set up camp for the night and before long a third band of Indians arrived with various items of loot that they undoubtedly had taken from other settlers.

At the behest of the old Indian the caravan resumed before dawn the following morning, not pausing to fix a meal until after two hours. Mary was surprised she was able to negotiate the march since her stomach pained her as the baby within was becoming increasingly active. She knew that neither she or Eliza Draper could maintain the pace.

She prayed and wondered what she could do to save her children. In addition to being young and stout, Mary was industrious. She had many talents, frequently showing the ladies of Draper’s Meadows her ideas on making clothes, making meals more tasty or assisting in other ways. It came to her that the Indians would be more patient with her if she had an opportunity to display her skills.

“That’s it,” Mary told herself in a hushed voice. “They’ve got to know that I can help them. It’s my family’s only chance.”

When the Indians stopped to prepare a meal she immediately involved herself in its preparation, with the result pleasing her captors. Mary tore a sleeve from her dress and used it to tie Eliza’s injured arm. She had noticed that the packs were not well secure on the horses with several coming loose during their travel. She proceeded to rearrange the bundles and tied them taut. She found the rearranging required the Indians to need one less horse.

“I can be of help in your camp,” she told the chief as they prepared to resume their travels. “I can cook and make clothes and tend to the sick but my babe will come soon and I can hardly keep up on the trail. If you will allow me to ride the horse I will be able to help in many ways.”

“So be it,” the Indian answered. Mary was helped atop the horse even though she was in late stages of pregnancy.

Eliza Draper helped Mary’s son Thomas get on the horse and he sat snug behind his mother. Mary looked at her pained and weakened sister-in-law before turning back to the chief.

“She is hurt and weak,” Mary said. “Can she ride with us?”

“She must walk the trails and learn our ways,” he answered. “Small boy ride.”

The Indian proceeded to help Eliza in handing George to Mary who put the two-year old in front of her. As their northward travel resumed Mary held George close as Thomas snuggled closely behind. Eliza picked up a walking stick to help her on the trail and she was relieved with Mary’s youngsters riding instead of having to be carried.

Mary Ingle’s prayer was answered. They were able to keep up with their captors and for the moment their lives were not at risk. Copyright 2024

Jadon Gibson is a widely read Appalachian writer. His stories are both historic and nostalgic in nature. Thanks to Lincoln Memorial University, the Museum of Appalachia, Elmer Kincaid Coal, Arnett and Steele Funeral Home, Long’s Pic Pac, Brook’s Tire, Gen. Paul Phillips and Harrogate Hospital for Animals for their assistance