Lets keep shakin the tree!! :) Never
know what might fall out.
The published source for these memoirs is:
..The Indiana Magazine of History
..Volume 23 pages 63-72
..Date 1927

Vincennes Indiana
MEMOIRS OF THE BRUCE FAMILY
August 6th, 1851
BY
WILLIAM BRUCE b. 1776 Aug. 8
AGE 75

My first recollection that I have of my ancestors was hearing my
grandfather, James Bruce, telling that himself and a younger brother,
George Bruce, came from Scotland about the year 1740. My grandfather
located in Winchester, Virginia. He was a house carpenter by trade and
I have heard him say that he built the first frame house that was ever
built in that town. About the year 1744 he married Margaret McMahon and
moved to the north branch of the Potomac in Maryland. He continued
there following his trade and farming until he raised a large family of
children.

My father, William Bruce, was the eldest. He was born the 14th day of
February, 1745. He {James Bruce}had two sons younger than my father and
six daughters viz.. Elizabeth, who married a man by the name of Thomas
Anderson; Margaret, who married David Cox; Jane was married to a
William Marshall; Nancy, that married Samuel Percifull; Ann, who
married Samuel Glass, and James who married Polly Runyan; George that
married the widow Biggs. My father married a widow Percifull, and the
youngest sister, Sally, married a Joshua Carmen, a Baptist Preacher, a
man of excellent character and considerable speaker. He moved to the
state of Ohio about 50 years ago, raised a large family and died in a
good old age - about 85. From the above enumerated uncles and aunts
there has sprung an almost innumerable multitude. They mostly moved to
Kentucky at an early day and settled in Nelson County.

My father, soon after marrying my mother, moved to the Monongahela;
settled about 14 miles above Pittsburgh, between the mouths of Peteso
Creek and Newels Store, now Elizabethtown. It was then the haunts of
Indians and forts were the only place of safety for the families of
those hardy pioneers. I had two sisters older than myself, that was
born in the fort and myself, the third child soon after they ventured to
their farms. I was born on the 8th of August, 1776, one month and two
days after independence was declared. I can, with the Apostle Paul, say
that I was free born, while out forefathers had to obtain their freedom
by their blood and treasure.

During the Revolutionary War, my father was frequently called upon to
perform military service. The first that I recollect him talking about
was being stationed at a place then called Catfish Camp, called after an
old Indian Chief, near a place now called Red Stone. My father served
then in capacity of Lieutenant. The next service he performed was under
General George Rogers Clarke. He commanded a company under the veteran
soldier to Louisville; was absent from home some five or six months.

As to my mother's family, I have a very imperfect knowledge. Her maiden
name was Polly Lucas. Her first husband was Richard Percifull. After
his death she married my father. My grandmother by my mother's side
was William Lucas. What my grandmother Lucas's maiden name was I never
learned, as she died about my first recollection. My grandfather Lucas
died before I was born. All I know of him is that he was a seafaring
man. I recollect an Uncle Robinson Lucas and two aunts. They married
the brothers, William and Dennis Murphy; moved to the state of Ohio at
an early date.

As I before observed I was born at a time that tried man's soul. None
but a man that had no fear of Indians but their prudence would venture
to risk his family where the prowling wolf and sub-tile savage roamed.
Then the Whig and Tory often lived in one fort, but it happened that my
grandfather and father were true American Whigs. I fortunately partook
of the same spirit and have retained it to this day. When I was about
nine years old my father sold his plantation on the Monongahela and
moved to Kentucky - I think it was in the fall, 1784. We landed at the
mouth of the Bear Grass.

Louisville was then a small village and there was a garrison with some
United States troops kept there. We lived there that winter and in the
spring of 1785 move on the waters of Coxes Creek named after my uncle
David Cox, that had settled there a few years previous (now Nelson
County). My father bought two hundred acres of land and commenced
making a farm. The first settlers had just ventured from their forts.
I recollect having to stand and watch while my father was at work with
his rifle well braced standing against a tree close at hand. About this
time Colonel Isaac Cox was killed by the Indians while out surveying on
a branch called Powelsbern waters of the East fork of Coxes Creek, and
about four miles from where my father lived. This made quite a stir in
the neighborhood and men were stationed at different places along the
frontier settlements. That was the last murder that was committed by
the Indians, between Salt River and Bardstown. From that time on until
the close of the Indian war, after General Anthony Wayne gave them such
a scourging, times gradually became more safe and settlements were
pushed on to the Ohio River.

At the age of 22 I was married to the third daughter of Captain Polke
of Shelby County, and the youngest of the four children of his that were
taken prisoners by the Indians. When they took and burnt his fort he
had been called away with his company of militia from Simpson's Creek,
where his fort stood, to succor the forts on Bear Grass, as it was
believed that the enemy in a large body was about making a descent on
the forts in that quarter from the sign that had been discovered, but
the wily savages after they found that the principal part of the men had
been called away, changed their course and near 100 of them attacked
Polke's station, killed several and took the rest prisoners after
burning the fort. Among the prisoners was my mother-in-law and the four
children above mentioned, to wit: William Polke, who has been a very
conspicuous character from the early settling of Knox County, Indiana,
until his dream about eight years ago, having filled various important
trusts. He was one that helped frame the first Constitution for Indiana
in 1816, commissioner of the Michigan road for a number of years,
frequently served in the legislature of the state and was register of
the Land Office at Fort Wayne at the time of his death. The eldest
daughter, Elizabeth, married Captain Spier Spencer, who fell in the
battle of Tippecanoe of the Indian fighting notoriety, whose death was
much lamented. The second daughter, Nancy, married Peter Ruby. Some of
her children are still living in Knox County. The third, Sally, became
my wife October 23rd, 1798.

I then bought me a small tract of land on the waters of Coxes Creek,
Nelson County, Kentucky, made a small farm when an older claim took it
away from me. I then packed up what little plunder I had, my wife and
four children, on horseback and moved to Vincennes, Knox County,
Indiana, in the Spring of 1805, rented five acres of ground to raise
corn for which I paid 25 dollars cash. Pretty tough times. That summer
I purchased 200 acres on which Bruceville now stands, built a cabin and
in October the same year move to it. I had a few white neighbors
scattered about and quite a number of red skins hunting and travelling
through all parts of our county, the Dellewars. Miames, Shawnees,
Potenotomies, etc., but at that time they were entirely
friendly and continued so until Tecumseh commenced collecting them at
Tippecanoe in 1809. 10 and 11, when we had to be on our guard. In
September, 1811, the expedition to the Prophets Town started up the
Wabash.

The summer before I had been ordered by General William Henry Harrison,
Governor and Commissioner in Chief of the Northwest Territory, to bring
my command of militia to Vincennes and to remain there twenty days, as
it was then thought that the Indians intended to make a descent on
Vincennes, and was continued there twenty days; and, as I was the oldest
Captain in the regiment I had performed a tour, the next oldest was
called from our battalion and, as I could not go as an officer, I turned
out a volunteer in the spring under Captain Touraint Dubois, and a more
brave and patriotic man did not live, loved by his men and true to his
country. Some years after he was drowned on the road from St. Louis
home, regretted by all who had the slightest acquaintance with him. The
army marched about two miles above Terre Haute and there built Fort
Harrison and called it after out patriotic General. We was about one
month erecting the fort. When completed the army pursued its route up
the Wabash to the mouth of big Vermillion where we halted one
day and built a block house.

From that point six of the spies and six of the Robbs company was
ordered back by General Harrison, myself among the number, to have the
militia in a state of readiness; kept scouts passing every day from
Wabash to White river lest the Indians should fall in rear of the army
and surprise and butcher the frontier settlements, as Harrison was well
acquainted with the Indian character (which) caused this precaution.
The battle was fought the 7th of November. 1811, when our poor men were
badly handled and the Indians worse.
The night of the battle myself in company with my Lieutenant, now
Esquire Wilkins of Merom, Sullivan County, encamped about one and one
half miles west of where Edwardsport now stands, having been on the
lookout between the two rivers. After a few months of calm, the
difficulties broke out afresh. The citizens had to build stockade forts
for the protection of their families. We suffered many inconveniences
from being so crowded together, nevertheless quite peaceable and happy.
Nothing like enemies without to make peace within. The fort I lived in
was on my own place. Some of the rails made white oak picket, I believe
is in existence yet. When peace was again made it terminated the third
frontier life that I had experienced, and I hope the last. My family
still increased until the year 1818, when I had the misfortune to lose
my companion. She died after giving birth to our fifteenth child, eight
boys and seven girls, eleven of whom were living at the time of her
death. She was a pious and worthy member of the Baptist
Church, and had been for a number of years, and not a doubt remains with
me but that her pure spirit winged its way to the climes of immortal
glory.

In 1819 I married my second, Hetty R. Holmes, daughter of William and
Elizabeth Ann Holmes; they moved from North Elkhorn, Fayette County,
near Lexington, Kentucky. My present wife is still living, a healthy
woman in her 57th year. She has had ten children, seven boys and three
girls, nine of which are living.

As I have given a general history of my ancestors as far back as I have
my recollection, I will give a more particular detail of my brothers and
sisters together with my immediate family and their fruitful increase.
My eldest sister married on Joshua McDonald. They are both dead. Some
of their children live in this state. My second sister, Margaret,
married John Spencer, oldest brother of Spier Spencer that fell in the
battle of Tippecanoe. They had twelve or fourteen children, some living
in Terre Haute and near, but most of them in Boon County in this state.
My sister is still living now in her 77th year, two years older than
myself. My brother James that was 15 months younger than myself married
Polly Froman in Kentucky; moved to Rough Creek Brackinridge County,
Kentucky, had a large family; they mostly reside in the same county. He
has been dead about 17 or 18 years. My younger sister, Polly, married
John Glasscock; they had but three children. She is still living in the
71st year of her age. They live in Brackinridge County. As I have
before informed you who I married and when I moved to this state and
were I settled, I will now inform you of the increase of my family.

In the first place, I had twenty-five children, fifteen boys and ten
girls, sixteen of which is now living, five died in their infancy; four
since they arrived to maturity. My oldest son, Charles P Bruce, married
Angelina C. Wright in the state of Ohio, by whom he had four children.
After her death he married Nancy P. Harrison, daughter of Joshua
Harrison of Montgomery County. His last wife had ten children, ten of
the fourteen still living. Charles died last summer.

William D. Bruce married Betsey Polke, had six children, four of which
is still living. He died fifteen years ago this month. His widow
married again, lives on the Illinois river, state of Illinois. My
eldest daughter, Delilah, married John A. Holmes, brother to my second
wife. They have had twelve children, eight of which is now living.
They live in Ogle County, Illinois, near Buffalo Grove Post Office. My
third living son, Spier Bruce, married Rachel Chambers, by whom he had
nine children; three are dead and she also. His second wife was the
widow Lite. They live in this county.

My second daughter, Polly, married Squire Bruce, they also live in Ogle
County, Rock River, Illinois. They have had twelve children, seven of
whom are living.

My third daughter, Betsey, married John Lafollette. They live in Putnam
County in this state, had twelve children, eight of whom are living.
Lucinda, my fourth daughter, married John H. Scroggin. They had six
children, one dead, he died also about three years ago. She is a widow,
lives in Bruceville. My fourth son, Henry H. Bruce, married Jane
Singleton, they had four children, three of them are living. She died
and he married his second wife, Mary Ann Cooper; has one child; lives in
Kansas on the Missouri river, state of Missouri. My next daughter,
Kitty Ann, died in her fourteenth year. My fifth son, Isaac D. Bruce,
has had three children, one dead; he is now in California, if living.
My fifth daughter, Sally, married Vincent S. McClure, they have had four
children, three living. They live near Shaker Prairie in this county.
My eldest son, Weston H. Bruce (by my second wife and my sixth married
son) married America Singleton, had two children, lived in Kansas,
Missouri, died about two years ago. His widow married again and
now lives near Nishnabattery on the Missouri river. My seventh married
son, James C. Bruce, married Martha Elliott. They have one child, live
about one mile from Bruceville. Harvey J. Bruce, my eighth, married
Mary Rader, had five, all living. His place joins mine. My sixth
married daughter, Nancy Ann, married James F. McClure, has had five
children, three of them living, lives in this county near Shaker
Prairie.

John H. Bruce, my ninth married son, married Angelina Threlkeid, lives
about three miles from Bruceville.
Elnor, my seventh married daughter, married William Simpson. Has had
three children, two living. They live about three quarters of a mile
from Bruceville. I have my three youngest living with me, Margaret, my
youngest daughter, David C. and William D., the second William born
about four days before his brother William died. He was fifteen years
old the twelfth day of August 1851, and is now six feet high
and pretty well proportioned. I have been blessed with healthy,
industrious and economical wives, otherwise my lot would have been
more severe. I have always been blest with sufficient food and raiment
to get along comfortable, never burdened with wealth or distressed with
penury.

My sons and sons-in-law have been sober industrious men, all doing
reasonable well. They, with their wives are almost all professors of
the Christian religion and most of them belong to the Christian
congregation Disciples.

The living members of my family are sixteen children, seventy-two
grandchildren, husbands and wives; seventeen great-grandchildren; myself
and wife, making a total of 117; 30 dead.

Thus far the good Lord has brought me and prospered me. I have
endeavored (as far as my fallible nature would permit) to pursue an
upright and honest course and the Lord has been my helper and in His
merits is my trust. I am now at the advanced age of 75 years, and have
never been one day without something to eat and reasonable raiment -
"Blessed be His holy name." I have enjoyed uncommon health, never been
confined to my bed an entire day in my life, although I feel the outer
man decay very sensible, yet my health is uncommon good. My action is
gone, my energy is failing fast, my sight has become so dim that I do
not know one of my family half-way across the house, but can still see
to read and write without my glasses. How great that blessing is.

About the year 1800 my first wife and myself united with the Baptist
Church on Coxes Creek, Nelson County, Kentucky, (William Tulo). We
continued our membership there until the spring 1805, when we received
letters of dismission and moved to Knox County, Indiana (then
Territory). About the fall 1807, as well as I recollect, we collected
twelve or fourteen scattering Baptists over as many miles around and
were constituted a church by John Taylor and William Keller of
Kentucky. The Constitution took place at my house on the tract of land
that Bruceville now stands on. We called it the Wabash Church. We
still gathered a few by letter, some by baptism. Our first preacher was
a William Braselton, quite a speaker, but possessed of considerable
enthusiasm. When the Shakers located themselves in this county he was
carried off by them and we were happily rid of him and wife.
We increased until we were strong enough to build us a comfortable log
house to worship in, on the same ground that the Presbyterian brick
house now stands on the road leading from Bruceville to Vincennes. Some
years after a number of my first wife's family and other Baptists moved
on Mariah Creek and concluded to be constituted a church there, and when
my wife and I received letters of dismission and was constituted a
church; called it Mariah Creek Church. Our membership continued there
until her death in 1810. The church prospered greatly for several years
after. I think that when a few of us at Bruceville (say nine)petitioned
for letters of dismission, that as well as I recollect, the church
numbered 170 members, but suspicion got afloat that we intended to be
constituted on the scriptures without any other creed or confession of
faith. The spirit of persecution commenced and on the day we were
constituted, some twenty or more of their members broke off from them
and were constituted with us. From that time the old members broke off
from them and our congregation increased under the ministry of Brother
David Warford first and Brother Maurice R. Trimble next, until our
church numbered over one hundred. And the good Lord still blesses us
with prosperity under the ministry of Brother Wolfe who preaches for us
once a month. But the persecuting spirit of a few of their members of
poor old Mariah Creek Church against us and others that think the
scripture sufficient fuel for our faith and practice, has reduced them
to a mere skeleton.

Thus far I have given a correct history of my ancestors and my own
family as my imperfect memory would allow together with the length of
time and want of records would allow and only have to regret that my
progress in the line of life has been so small.