Silas Dinsmoor
(1766-1847)
Silas Dinsmoor was the beloved uncle of James Dinsmore (James chose to use a different spelling of his last name.) Silas was a 5’ 11’, robust 175 pounds, red-haired man that lived a very colorful life. He was “fitted” for college by studying with a local minister, a Rev. Williams, and walking 4 miles each way to attend school. Upon completing his studying with Rev. Williams, he entered Dartmouth College and graduated in 1791. He went on to teach in the town of Atkinson N.H. Here he met his future wife, Mary Gordon. In 1794, he entered the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant where he came to know President George Washington almost immediately. Washington was so impressed by Silas, that after only 20 days in the army, he was appointed by President George Washington as a new Indian agent to return to Tennessee with a group of Cherokee chiefs from 1794 to 1798. In 1799, Silas spent the last Christmas George Washington with him at Mt. Vernon. On this occasion, Washington presented Silas with a sword in appreciation for his work as a Cherokee Indian agent. Sadly, the sword was lost in fire that swept through Mobile Alabama in the early 1800’s. The silver was melted down and made into spoons that still reside today with distant Dinsmore family.
In 1801, President Thomas Jefferson, who knew of Dinsmoor’s reputation as agent for the Cherokee Indians, asked him to serve similarly in the Mississippi territory as agent to the Choctaw Nation. His appointment lasted from 1801 - 1813. Silas’ service to the Cherokee and Choctaw nations was done with, what at the time was considered, the utmost integrity and principle and it was reflected in the respect the chiefs had for him.
Silas married Mary Gordon in 1807 and they had seven children, although only two lived to adulthood, Thomas H. W. and Silas Gordon. When James Dinsmore considered moving to Boone County, the idea of being close to his aging uncle Silas and aunt Mary was most appealing. Silas died in Kentucky and is buried in the Dinsmore family graveyard.