History of the Girtys

By Consul Willshire Butterfield

Subjects: Wars, Indians of North America, History

Description: The Girty brothers, Simon in particular, were infamous on the frontiers of Pennsylvania and Kentucky during the American Revolution and following years. The brothers were the sons of an Irish immigrant to Pennsylvania, who as boys were taken prisoner by Indians and lived among them for a time before settling in the Pittsburg area. When the Revolution began they were at first on the Patriot side, but then went over to the British. Simon worked for the British commander in Detroit to plan and lead Indian attacks against settlers in western Pennsylvania and Kentucky.