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Boyle County · Frontier · 1752 – 1819

Maj. Silas Harlan

Virginia-born Major Silas Harlan (c. 1752–1782) came to Kentucky in 1774, built Harlan's Station on the Salt River about seven miles south of Harrodsburg in 1778, and commanded spies in George Rogers Clark's Illinois campaign.

AI illustration of Major Silas Harlan, about 1782
Silas Harlan AI illustration · Kentucky History Drive; no known likeness exists

Clark later said he was "one of bravest soldiers that ever fought by my side." Harlan fell leading an advance party at Blue Licks on August 19, 1782, and was buried on the field; Harlan County, created in 1819, is named for him.

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Published . Last revised .

Chicago

Snowden, Shannon. "Maj. Silas Harlan." Kentucky History Drive. Published September 18, 2026. Last revised October 1, 2026. https://kyhistorydrive.com/stories/maj-silas-harlan/.

MLA

Snowden, Shannon. "Maj. Silas Harlan." Kentucky History Drive, published 18 Sept. 2026, last revised 1 Oct. 2026, https://kyhistorydrive.com/stories/maj-silas-harlan/.

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