Timeline story
Col. John Todd of Lexington
Pennsylvania-born lawyer John Todd (1750–1782) reached Kentucky around 1775, sat in Virginia’s legislature for Kentucky County, rode with George Rogers Clark to Kaskaskia and Vincennes, and was named civil commandant of Illinois County.
Back home he became Fayette’s first militia colonel (Boone as lieutenant colonel) and a Lexington trustee who deeded land to the young town.
After Bryan Station’s siege he led the pursuit that ended at Blue Licks on August 19, 1782, where he was killed at 32; brother Levi helped bury the dead. Todd County (1819) still carries his name—great-uncle of Mary Todd Lincoln.
Cite this story
Published . Last revised .
Chicago
Snowden, Shannon. "Col. John Todd of Lexington." Kentucky History Drive. Published September 15, 2026. Last revised September 24, 2026. https://kyhistorydrive.com/stories/col-john-todd-of-lexington/.
MLA
Snowden, Shannon. "Col. John Todd of Lexington." Kentucky History Drive, published 15 Sept. 2026, last revised 24 Sept. 2026, https://kyhistorydrive.com/stories/col-john-todd-of-lexington/.
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