Bryan Station Monument to Water Bearers Rededicated
By Judy Owens
Lexington Chapter Vice-Regent
In a moving, yet simple, ceremony, the Lexington Chapter, NSDAR rededicated its
Bryan Station monument on Sunday, August 4.
Against a backdrop of a brilliant summer sky and a gentle breeze, more than 200 people joined the Lexington Daughters to remember the courage of the women of Bryan Station, and of all pioneer women.
The octagon-shaped monument, commissioned by the Lexington Chapter and dedicated on August 15, 1896, was restored using funds raised by the chapter.
“What a wonderful event we had on Sunday,” said Clara Wilson, Chapter Regent. “I am so proud of our chapter and am humbled to be the regent. We have so many talented and gifted members who work together in friendship and love.”
Lexington Chapter Member Donna Dodd Terrell Jones, a Bryan Station descendant, gave the keynote address. Mrs. Wilson and Patricia Blackburn, as Chapter Chaplain, re-dedicated the monument. Amelia Wisner, who chaired the re-dedication committee, welcomed guests and acted as host. Sons of the American Revolution presented colors, and long-time veterans advocate and past Miss America Heather French Henry led the singing of the national anthem.
Speakers honored the unheralded courage of the women who saved Bryan Station.
“When the doors of the Bryan Station fort opened, the women emerged,” said Mrs. Jones. “Like our World War II troops storming the beaches of Normandy on D-Day under the constant fire of German machine guns atop a wall of cliffs; and like our first responders who ran into the flaming World Trade towers on 9/11, the Women of Bryan Station walked directly into the jaws of almost assured death.
“The Women of Bryan Station walked to the well carrying their buckets and gourds and they got water and they trudged back up the hill and, finally, they re-entered the gates. Miraculously, though no doubt emotionally traumatized, they were physically unscathed.”
Various dignitaries, such as Lexington District 6 Council Member Angela Evans and KSDAR State Regent Carol Rogow were present. Greetings were brought on behalf of Mayor Linda Gorton, Rep. Andy Barr and Gov. Matt Bevin. More than 25 descendants of the water bearers attended. Visitors from four states drove for hours to honor their ancestors.
Two Scout Troops assisted visitors, and at least three photographers were on hand to document and video the event. The Lexington Herald-Leader had published an article and video about the stone masonry repair prior to the re-dedication. WLEX-18 covered the re-dedication live.
Bryan’s Station was established around 1775-76 by four Bryan brothers from North Carolina. By 1782, with about 40 log cabins inside, the fort withstood several Indian attacks. Its most significant challenge was in August 1782, when about 300 Shawnee, Delaware, Wyandot and other Native American tribes surrounded Bryan’s Station. Also in the raiding party were Canadian rangers, all led by British Capt. William Caldwell and Simon Girty.
Four short years after the Lexington DAR Chapter was established, the monument celebrating the courage of the Bryan Station women was erected. The names of the defenders are memorialized on the Indiana limestone monument.
While Lexington Chapter Treasurer Susan Mullins worked with Stuart Joynt to restore the monument, Chapter Registrar Amelia Wisner headed the team to plan the rededication. Balancing the logistics of the spring’s torrential rain with the landowners’ availability,, in the end, Mrs. Wisner was thrilled.
“We had around 200 guests, prospectives, ladies waiting to be verified, dignitaries, photographers, channel 18 news,” she said. “Mother nature was kind-hearted. I just got a text from my mother-in-law saying she saw it on the news! A prospective member signed her papers today - right there at the site!”
Located on a private farm, approximately three miles north on New Circle Road on the west side of Bryan Station Road, the monument is not open to the general public.
In August 2007 Bryan Station Chapter, along with the Lexington Chapter, sponsored a dedication in cooperation with the Kentucky Humanities Council, and the Kentucky State Parks Foundation.
In 2015, KET recorded a short segment on Kentucky Life with Regent Carol Bailey about the brave women of Bryan Station.
The committee to rededicate the monument launched two fundraisers. Judy Owens and Vickie Canham spearheaded a craft project, creating hand fans that commemorate the women. More than 80 fans were sold the day of the event,.
In addition. Mrs. Canham designed and commissioned a beautiful commemorative pin, featuring the image of a water bearer. The pin sold out.
The leadership of the Lexington Chapter is considering other ways to continue telling the story of Bryan Station.