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Posted by Nena Smothers Nancy HYNES b: ABT. 1784 3 Nancy Hynes b 1784 NOTE: It is this DuVal that is portrayed in Washington Irving's sketch of his early life, "Early Exp of Ralph Ringwood"-which also inc a sketch on William Smeathers. "The Early Experiences of Ralph Ringwood" [DuVal came fr Richmond Va to wilds of Ky] "having breakfasted on the remainder of my turkey & staked my thirst at the bubbling stream, without further dread of panthers, I resumed my wayfaring-with buoyant feelings. I again saw deer, but as usual running, running! I tried in vain to get a shot at them & began to fear I never should. I was gazing in vexation after a herd in full scamper, when I was startled by a human voice. Turning around I saw a man at a short distance from me, in a hunting dress. "Fr: Allenhurst <allenhurst@premiernet.net> 18 Aug 2002-The year William Pope DuVal arrived in the wilderness of Ky would have been 1798. This would have been Ohio Co the following year of 1799 (Hardin Co in 1798). Ohio Co Ky then encompassed Daviess and Ohio & portions of Grayson, Butler, and McLean Counties now.
Link: DuVal-Smeathers-Ringwood
on 2/12/2004, 1:40 am
69.41.129.193
This is the Hynes family that purported to have raised Daniel Grass who md Wm Smeathers dau, Jane Smeathers 1800 KY, after Grass' parents captured by Indians...etc.....
Wm Pope Duval was Gov of Fl. And he is the one in the Washington Irving Sketchbook as well as our 'Pappy' William Smeathers.....I got a copy of it finally abt a year ago. NS
dau/o Andrew Hynes Above mentioned & Elizabeth Warford
+ Wm Pope DuVall-lawyer of Bardstown KY b 1784 d Mar 18 1854 WA DC
Went to Florida 1822 when appt governor, no doubt where Nancy Hynes died.
Duval was Terr gov of Fl at this time.
I finally got a copy of the Knickerbocker sketchbook by Washington Irving fr Joseph Hays [Allenhurst] with the story of Ralph Ringwood and his meeting up w/Pappy Smeathers in the Ky backwoods.
This is a quoted paragraph from the article.
"What are you after, my lad?" cried he.
"Those deer," replied I, pettishly, "but it seems as if they never stand still."
Upon that he burst out laughing, "where are you from?" said he.
"From Richmond".
"What? In old Virginny?"asked he.
"The same" said I.
"And how on earth did you get here?" asked he.
"I landed at Green river from a broad-horn." said I.
"And where are your companions?" asked he.
"I have none" said I.
"What?..all alone?" asked he.
"Yes," said I.
"Where are you going?" asked he.
"Anywhere," said I.
"And what have you come here for?" asked he.
"To hunt," said I.
"Well, said he, laughingly, you'll make a real hunter; there's no mistaking that! Have you killed anything?"asked he.
"Nothing but a turkey. I can't get within shot of a deer, they are always on the run." said I.
"Oh, I'll teach you the secret of that. You're always pushing forward and starting the deer at a distance and gazing at those that are scampering, but you must step as slow and silent, and cautious as a cat, and keep your eyes close around you, and lurk from tree to tree. If you wish to get a chance at deer, but come, go home with me. My name is BILL SMITHERS and I live not far off, stay with me a little while and I'll teach you how to hunt."said he.
I gladly accepted the invitation of honest Bill Smithers.
We soon reached his habitation; a mere log hut with a square hole for a window and a chimney made of sticks and clay.
Here he lived with a WIFE and a CHILD. He had 'girdled' the trees for an acre or two around, preparatory to clearing a space for corn and potatoes. In the mean time he maintained his family entirely by his rifle and I soon found him to be a first-rate huntsman.
Under his tutelage I received my first effective lessons in 'woodcraft'.
After I had passed 10-12 days with Bill Smithers, I thought it time to shift my quarters, for his house was scarce large enough for his own family and I had no idea of being an incumbrance to anyone.
I accordingly made up my bundle, shouldered my rifle, took a friendly leave of Smithers and his wife, and set out in quest of a Nimrod of the wilderness, a one John Miller, who lived alone, nearly 40miles off and whom I hoped would be well pleased to have a hunting companion.
Major DuVal is Maj William DuVal the father of Wm Pope DuVal.
DUVAL, William Pope, lawyer b Va 1784; d Washington D C 19 Mar 1854.
His ggrandfather was French Huguenot, who settled Va, his grandfather a member of the house of burgesses, and his father, Maj Wm, an officer of the Rev who possessed a high reputation as a chancery lawyer, spent a large fortune in helping the poor, and enjoyed the friendship of Washington. The son removed to Ky when a boy, studied law there, and was admitted to the bar. He commanded a company of mounted volunteers against the Indians 1812, and was elected to congress in that year, serving from 24 Mar 1813, to 2 Mar 1815. After his return to Ky he practiced law at Bardstown till 1822, when President Monroe appointed him Gov of territory of Fl. Presidents Adams and Jackson, serving till 1834, cont him in that office. He removed 1848 to Tx and d of a paralytic shock while visiting Washington DC. His life and character have been celebrated in fiction by James K. Paulding, who portrayed him in "Nimrod Wildfire," and by Washington Irving, who drew from him the
character of "Ralph Ringwood.
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