Bush Family Pioneers in Kentucky
Captain William “Billy” Bush, my 4th Great Granduncle, stands as a towering figure in early American frontier history, uniquely blending leadership, pioneering spirit, and unwavering community devotion during one of the most precarious and transformative eras in Kentucky’s settlement.
Born October 29, 1746, in Orange County, Virginia, Billy belonged to a deeply rooted colonial family that traced back to John Bush, (my 9th Great Grandfather), an English settler who arrived in Virginia on the ship Neptune in 1618. His family’s early colonial legacy set the stage for his pivotal role in pioneering the American West.
Billy’s friendship with Daniel Boone, arguably the most famous frontiersman in American history, marked the beginning of his profound impact on Kentucky’s wilderness settlement. Their friendship likely blossomed in Virginia during Boone’s passage from Pennsylvania to North Carolina, where both were emerging young men intrigued by the expanding frontier. This lifelong companionship carried them westward in 1775, when
Bush joined Boone on his expedition to what would become Kentucky. Together, they blazed trails through dense forests and hostile terrain, laying the groundwork for Fort Boonesborough — a fragile but resilient fortress against Native American attacks and British incursions.
Billy Bush was not only a warrior but also a wise and pragmatic leader. His military service included fighting in the Battle of Point Pleasant in 1774, a significant pre-Revolutionary War conflict, and later campaigns during the Northwest Indian War including General Harmar’s defeat in 1790. His courage and tactical expertise helped defend early settlements against repeated Native American assaults, making the frontier safer for settlers.
His role as a landowner and surveyor was equally important. The famed Daniel Boone personally surveyed over 6,100 acres of the Bush Settlement in what is now Clark County, Kentucky, working closely with Billy. This settlement became a core hub in Kentucky’s early development, a testament to Bush’s vision and ability to build a society amidst wilderness. He meticulously planned the settlement so that kin and friends—many from Orange and Culpeper Counties of Virginia—could establish farms and communities near him, fostering a strong and supportive network vital for survival.
Bush’s influence extended beyond defense and land ownership into the social and spiritual fabric of early Kentucky. He was foundational in establishing Providence Baptist Church (the Old Stone Church), Kentucky’s oldest church building and a lasting symbol of community faith and resilience. This church grew out of the “Travelling Church,” a group of devout Baptists who faced profound hardships during migration, including long stops in Holston where the colony paused for three years due to ongoing Indian hostilities and the Revolutionary War. These settlers, led spiritually by Elder Robert Elkin and practically by Captain Bush, persevered in keeping their faith alive, often holding worship services in fortified log buildings that doubled as protection against attacks.
Billy’s marriage to Frances Tandy Burrus in 1778 interwove key family alliances, tying him to other influential settlers through a network of brothers-in-law and kinsmen. These social connections fortified the Bush Settlement’s cohesion and were crucial in navigating the dangers and challenges of frontier life. The families they led were pillars of the emerging Kentucky community, agricultural pioneers building homes, churches, and institutions from the wilderness.
Throughout his lifetime, Billy Bush was characterized by steadfast faith, robust frontier leadership, and an unwavering commitment to family and community. His legacy was not just the land he helped claim and protect but the social and spiritual communities he nurtured amid adversity. His friendship with Daniel Boone was emblematic of the intertwined destinies of early American pioneers who faced the formidable wilderness with courage and cooperation.
Captain Billy Bush died in 1815, leaving a legacy immortalized in Clark County’s history and a headstone inscription commemorating his friendship with Boone and his courageous role in Kentucky’s settlement. His story embodies the determination, faith, and collective pioneering spirit that forged the American frontier and laid the foundation for future generations.
Below is our lineage, beginning with me:
Mark O’Rear (b.1957)
Floyd Barrett O’Rear Jr. (1931–2019)
My father, Floyd Barrett O'Rear Jr (Barry as he liked to be called) was a man who walked a path of deep learning and heartfelt Christian service. At Oberlin College, he met Virginia Beckman, my mother, and they developed a partnership built on shared ideals and love, beginning a lifelong union.
His studies at Princeton, Union, and Drew seminaries shaped him into a compassionate Methodist minister, guiding many through faith and pastoral care
Later, as a pastoral counselor, he was known utilized his wisdom and empathy to help souls find peace and direction, reflecting a legacy of spiritual leadership.
Floyd Barrett O’Rear Sr. (1896–1978)
My grandfather was both scholar and servant, blending intellect with heart.
He was a professor at Columbia University and he influenced countless lives through education.
His later calling to the Methodist ministry was emblematic of a life lived fully devoted to service to God and community. With my grandmother Grace Alice Sherrow by his side, he built a family rooted in learning and faith, passing these gifts forward.
Miranda Allen (M. A.) O’Rear (1869–1934)
My great-grandfather, M.A. as he was called, was a dedicated leader in education and life.
He was President of Missouri Teachers College, and shaped generations of educators, knowing that teaching is the foundation of enduring change.
Together with my Great Grandmother Cora Freeman, they cultivated a family dedicated to growth and the betterment of society.
M. A.'s legacy is the transformative power of education, inspiring those who followed to value knowledge and kindness.
Daniel Talbott O’Rear (1839–1870)
My 2nd great-grandfather, Daniel O'Rear, had a pioneering spirit that helped shape a nation expanding westward.
He married Mildred “Kate” Weldon, and their lives showcased resilience amid challenge and hope amid the frontier’s wild promise.
As a descendant of Revolutionary War heroes, Daniel’s life was imbued with the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for freedom. His final resting place near Trion, Georgia, marks the peaceful end of a life bridged by hardship and hope.
John Bush O’Rear (1802–1883)
My 3rd great-grandfather, John Bush O'Rear, was a Missouri pioneer who carried forward the spirit of adventure and commitment.
With his wife Elizabeth Talbott by his side, he forged family roots in the fertile lands of Missouri, embodying the joys and struggles of frontier life.
John was born in Kentucky to a family marked by Revolutionary valor. John’s migration westward reflected the enduring quest for opportunity and home.
John's presence in Rocky Fork and Boone County speaks to a man grounded in family and community, an anchor for generations. John bridged past and future with steady hands and a resilient heart.
Daniel O’Rear (b.1777)
Daniel O'Rear, my 4th great-grandfather, was a Revolutionary War soldier who faced the frontier’s dangers with bravery
His marriage to Elizabeth Bush was our link to the Bush lineage which ties our family history closely to Daniel Boone.
His campaigns with Captain Leonard Helm and Colonel George Rogers Clark helped secure the western frontier, actions that shaped a young America. Daniel’s life was one of sacrifice and steadfastness, fathering a lineage steeped in courage.
Elizabeth Bush (mid-1700s)
My 4th great-grandmother was the daughter of Francis Bush. Elizabeth embodied the grace and strength of women who held families and communities together across generations.
Through her, the Bush and O’Rear stories entwined, extending the family’s heritage of intertwined heart and history. She represents the strength of the women who held family and faith together through uncertain times.
Francis Bush (1750–1818)
My 5th great-grandfather was Francis Bush, a soldier of liberty and a man of faith.
Francis married Lucy Davis in 1773, and formed a partnership that gave birth to children who would carry the family forward, including Betsy Bush who married Daniel O’Rear.
Francis was veteran of the Revolutionary War, and his service embodied sacrifice for the cause of freedom. As a settler in Virginia and later in Kentucky, Francis’s donation of land for Providence Baptist Church holds testament to a heart devoted to community and spirituality.
Philip Bush Sr. (c.1710–1772)
My 6th great-grandfather was Philip Bush, a respected Virginian landowner and militia leader. He married Mary Bryan, and helped shape the social and political landscape of colonial Virginia.
His will, witnessed by James Madison, marks the esteem in which he was held.Philip’s life was one of stewardship, leadership, and enduring impact.
John Bush (b. circa 1670)
My 7th great-grandfather, John Bush, was a solid presence in Orange County, Virginia. I have the pleasure of living very close to Orange, and in fact drive through there frequently.
John married Bridget Braxton, building a foundation of family and community. John's life spanned a time of growth and challenge as Virginia evolved from wilderness to settled colony.
Abraham Bush (1622–1687)
My 8th great-grandfather was Abraham Bush. He was born in England, and undertook the extremely dangerous passage to America,. embodying the immigrant pioneer spirit.
His first marriage was to Martha (likely Wingate), then to Ann Alexander, fathering many children that carried forth the family’s promise.
Abraham worked as a tobacco planter in Lancaster County, Virginia, revealing a life of industry and commitment. Abraham’s story is one of migration, hard work, and legacy, setting down roots for generations to thrive.
John “Neptune” Bush (1590–c.1625)
Although there is some debate, my 9th great-grandfather was John Bush. I say debate because we are not sure whether he is the father of Abraham, or whether Abraham was his nephew. In either case, he was the courageous immigrant whose voyage across the ocean began our family’s Bush lineage in America.
John married Elizabeth Stokes and together with their daughters Mary and Elizabeth, they embarked on a journey full of hope and hardship.
They settled in Kiccoughtan (Hampton), Virginia. There John endured forced relocations and family trials with unshakable resolve. There is evidence that John and family were evicted from their home by the famous Jamestown Governor Yeardley.
John received a patent of 300 acres in Elizabeth City, and his determination laid the first stone of a family legacy that would endure centuries.
His will, which was crafted in 1624, closes a chapter on a life that seeded a vast familial legacy.
John represents the courage, faith, and vision that would grow into the foundation of a family woven into America’s fabric.
The Story of Captain Billy Bush—My 5th Great Uncle
Captain William “Billy” Bush (1746–1815) was much more than a figure of frontier lore; he was a defining presence in the shaping of early Kentucky and the western American frontier. As the son of Philip Bush Sr. and brother of my 6th great-grandfather Francis Bush, Captain Billy inherited a legacy of courage and leadership which he magnified through his own life’s deeds.
His friendship with Daniel Boone, one of America’s most famous pioneers, was not just a coincidence but a testament to his own stature as a bold and capable woodsman and protector of settlers. Together, they blazed trails through dense forests, crossed perilous rivers, and faced the ever-present dangers of the wilderness—Indian raids, wild animals, and the harshness of untamed land. Captain Billy was revered as an Indian fighter and militia captain, his tactical skill and unyielding spirit helping secure the territory that would become Kentucky.
Captain Billy was a central figure in the founding of the Bush Settlement near Boonesborough, a community that embodied the pioneer spirit, resilience, and hope for a new life on the western edge of the young nation. Stories passed down speak of his fearless leadership in battles and negotiations, his deep familiarity with the land, and a heart fiercely loyal to friends and family.
To this day, his tombstone in Clark County, Kentucky, proudly commemorates him as the “friend and companion of Daniel Boone,” a rare honor that signifies both personal loyalty and historical import.
This remarkable tale of Captain Billy Bush is woven into our family’s rich tapestry, a symbol of the bravery, tenacity, and friendship that courses through our lineage—a reminder that our heritage is forged not only by blood but by valor and steadfastness on the frontier of American history.
Story of John “Neptune” Bush and the Early Jamestown Settlers
John “Neptune” Bush arrived in Virginia at a time when the Jamestown colony—established in 1607—was still struggling for survival. The early settlers faced harsh realities: food shortages, disease, hostile relations with indigenous peoples, and the challenge of taming a wild and unfamiliar environment.
Life in Jamestown was fraught with peril. The “Starving Time” of 1609-1610 nearly decimated the colony, and those who persevered did so through incredible resilience and community. John “Neptune” Bush was part of this early generation, arriving in 1618 aboard the ship Neptune under the auspices of the Virginia Company and Governor Lord Delaware. Shortly after, his wife Elizabeth Stokes and daughters joined him, symbolizing a commitment not just to colonization but to establishing a lasting family and community in the New World.
Despite political and social upheavals, including forced relocations in 1624 and family hardships, John patented significant land in Elizabeth City, anchoring his family’s stake in the colony. That year, the family lost their home and most possessions during the forced move from Kiccoughtan, and the trauma resulted in the loss of an unborn child—a heartache recounted in the old colonial records. His will of December 1624 reflects a man mindful of his legacy and responsibilities amid uncertain times.
The story of John “Neptune” Bush and the Jamestown settlers is a birth narrative of America itself—a testament to courage, endurance, and faith that through struggle, new beginnings emerge. This foundation echoes through all descendants, including you, carrying the flame of pioneering spirit and hope across centuries.
References
• Kentucky Kindred Genealogy, “Bush Family – Colonial Virginia to Clark County, Kentucky” (2022)
• RootsWeb, “Genealogical Memoranda of the Quisenberry Family” (Various)
• Find a Grave Memorials for Francis Bush, Captain William Bush, and others
• Ancestors Family Search Records for John Bush, Abraham Bush, and descendants
• Columbia University and Princeton Seminary Archives
• TMG Tips, “Descendants of John O’Rear” (1998)
• Missouri State Historical Society, Pioneer Family Histories