Early Mason County Settler

Valentine Peers was born in Sisburn, Antrim County, Ireland in 1756 and emigrated to North America in 1773. He entered the Revolutionary Army of Virginia in 1776 and served as a brigade major under the command of General George Weedon. He served in the Battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777, and he and his men were commended in the published orders of General George Washington and Major General Nathaniel Greene (see Saffell's Records of the Revolutionary War, pp. 339‑343). Valentine Peers was released from service November 19, 1777.He was granted 5,333 1/3 acres in compensation for commendable military service. Peers then settled in Loudoun County, Virginia but later moved his family to Mason County, Kentucky, where he was among the area's earliest settlers. Throughout his life he was a landlord, manufacturer of salt, cotton mill owner, and manager of other jobs relating to his land, properties, and legal duties. Peers died June 6th 1830. Peers was married to Eleanor Orr (d. May 28, 1817) and their children were:Mary Eleanor (m. Judge Lewis Collins), John D., Edward, Valentine J. (Sheriff in Lincoln County, Missouri, 1834-1838), Benjamin O. (graduated from Transylvania College, studied at Princeton University, and became President of Transylvania College), Henry P., Jane M. (m. Smith), and Susan E. (m. Garrard).