Daniel Brewer Banta

'Believed to have been born in Somerset Co, NJ, shortly before the move to PA. His birth year is given as 1765. He was known in later years as 'Captain Dan Bonta'. He was termed 'a brave and reckless man', thriving on the challenge and excitement of the early days in Kentucky.'

On 13 Mar 1786, acquired Lot 11 in Low Dutch Colony Tract from Squire Daniel Boone for 49 pds, 3 shil, 3 pence & Lot 14 for 52 pds, 17 shil, 3 pence. Both were situated along present U.S. Route 421 between Shipman's Corner & North Pleasureville in Henry Co. On 24 Feb 1808, Daniel sold his homestead tract of 156 acres on the waters of Six Mile Run to brother, Henry, with other possessions. All of this property was subsequently turned over to the Shaker Community in which Henry and his family were members. On 11 Dec 1811, Daniel purchased another tract of 145 acres on Drennon's Creek. This was sold before the time they moved to Switzerland Co, IN, where they went to live with son, Henry. Deceased as of 15 Dec 1827

Source: "Banta Pioneers and Records of The Wives and Allied Families," by Elsa M. Banta, 1983, pages 93-94. Daniel was born shortly before his parents move to Pennsylvania. "Hewas known in later years as 'Captain Dan Bonta'. He was termed 'a braveand reckless man', thriving on the challenge and excitement of the earlydays in Kentucky. On June 5, 1784 he married 'the Widow Duree', a brave woman whose courage matched his own. Her first husband, Peter Duree, son of Samuel and Wyntie, was killed by Indians, their stories recorded in the annals of Kentucky history. They had eight children, and lived in Shelby and Henry Counties until they moved to Switzerland Co., Ind. Dan was buried in Pleasant Cem. at Pleasant, Indiana following his death on Dec. 15, 1827 . His wife, Anna Seever Duree Banta, died June 10, 1829 and is buried in the old Bethel Cemetary, Craig, Switzerland Co. close to her son, the Rev. Henry D. Banta. Her headstone, was reset just a few years ago by Jim Banta of Kansas City, MO, as was that of Captain Dan."

An account of the settlement of the "Low Dutch Tract," written by George W. Demaree, was published in the Shelby Courant, Shelbyville, Kentucky, May 15, 1873, and so much of it as refers to the Banta Family is quoted therefrom, to illustrate some of the difficulties these hardy pioneers encountered in building their new homes on "the dark and bloody ground":

I propose to devote this chapter to the origin of the purchase and final settlement of the Dutch Tract, together with incidents connected with the men who figured in this part of our history.

About ten years before the final settlement was effected-i.e.,about the year 1785, Captain Daniel Banta, Cornelius Banta and John Banta, Sr., followed the "trace" leading from Harrod's station in Mercer County to Hoagland's station, in what was afterwards Shelby County, till within a few miles of the latter place where they boldly plunged into the wilderness, and built a cabin about two miles north-east of Hoagland's station and what was afterwards known as the old Magruder farm, now the property of Thomas Eaton Esq. This was, beyond doubt, the first cabin built in the limits of the Dutch tract. It was constructed of blue ash logs, and was torn down but a few years ago, after having braved the storms for more than eighty winters. The Bantas, while on their hunting expeditions, doubtless saw a considerable part of the tract of land afterwards purchased by the Dutch Company-though hardly all of it, as it was no child's play to explore so vast a wilderness. I have no means at hand of knowing the precise numbers of acres contained in the original survey, but from my knowledge of the boundary thereof I presume it could not be less than fifteen or twenty thousand acres. The Bantas had enjoyed their novel position but a short time when one of those periodical storms of wrath burst in upon the frontier settlements, and they wisely retired to Hoagland's station. This station was poorly manned and provisioned at the time, and was threatened daily with an attack from the redskins. So squally did the times become that the little garrison determined to send to Harrod's station for re-inforcements, etc. Jake Banta (Jacob), an officer of the fort (brother to the other Bantas), volunteered to perform the dangerous mission.. The wilderness being full of prowling savages, he chose the darkness of night to pass through the "narrows" on the waters of Benson Creek, near where Hardinsville is now. But poor Jake never reached Harrod's station. As he crept silently and all alone in the darkness of night through the dreaded "narrows", the redskins pounced upon him from ambush and cleaved his skull with the tomahawk. They left Captain Jacob Banta on the tragic spot with his own tomahawk buried in his skull as a token of their fierce vengeance. The loss of this brave man was deeply felt by the frontier settlement. As soon as the storm had subsided our three heroes, who had taken an active part in the exciting scenes with which they were surrounded, went back to Harrod's station fully satisfied that their attempt to take possession of an isolated wilderness at that time was immature. It can hardly be doubted that their good report of the excellent quality of these lands, carried back to the Dutch Company of which they constituted a part, led to the purchase and ultimate settlement of the same. The Banta family was both dreaded and hated by the Indians. Being men of wonderful strength and constitution, and brave to a fault, they had taught the savages many lessons in their own mode of warfare. If all their conflicts with the Indians, the heroism of their women, etc., were traced by the pen of an able writer, a book of truly thrilling adventures would be the result. The writer remembers hearing the old folks talk of "Shaker John Banta." This circumstance led him to inquire into the origins of the appellation, and his researches have satisfied him that the Shaker Society of Kentucky had its origin in the limits of the Dutch Settlement-i.e. in Shelby County, about the year A.D. 1804. The first Shaker meeting held in Kentucky, beyond doubt, was held at the house of John Banta, who was one of the original member of that sect in this State, hence the name "Shaker John Banta." Some of the Voorhees and Monforts adopted the Shaker system at the same time.

I doubt not that the long custom of the Dutch Company to have certain things "common," such as tools, farming implements, mills, etc. (the writer has seen the "Dutch Company sledge hammer" many times, and he doubts not that it is not in use in Henry County, where he last saw it), had no little to do in preparing the minds of those good men to receive the friendly, though absurd, doctrine of Ann Lee. The doctrine of Ann Lee met with but poor success, however, with the mass of the company, hence John Banta and his few associates separated from them and returned to Mercer County, and purchased the present site of Pleasant Hill. the result is familiar to everybody.

_________________________________

Birth: 1765 Death: Dec. 15, 1827

Birth year approximate

Burial: Pleasant Cemetery Pleasant Switzerland County Indiana, USA

Created by: orvf.com Virtual Cemeter... Record added: May 09, 2002 Find A Grave Memorial# 6402744

• Reference: WikiTree Genealogy - SmartCopy: Jun 27 2022, 16:35:49 UTC