Stirring Up a Hornet's Nest: - UGA Laboratory of Archaeology ...

The portrait now owned by Thoman is likely the portrait that was commissioned for Drury Thompson.
Thoman noted that this painting was made in Manhattan, New York in the 1830s (Louise S. Thoman
personal communication February 14, 2009). A similar portrait of Elijah Clarke sold at auction in 2007. It
was owned by a family descendant before it was offered for sale by Carl W. Stinson, Inc. This painting is
probably the other portrait made from the miniature at about the same time as Thoman’s piece.
Another early portrait of Clarke is currently on display in the Augusta History Museum in Augusta,
Georgia (Moore 2008). This original portrait of Clarke was handed down in the family until 1982, when it
was donated to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2004, the High Museum de-accessioned the
artwork and it was auctioned by Sotheby to “benefit acquisition funds.” The portrait was again sold in 2004
by Anne Frances Moore Fine Art in New York to the Augusta Museum of History, Augusta, Georgia where
it currently resides (Anne Frances Moore personal communication, November 19, 2008). It is a sad
statement that this extremely rare artwork, original piece of Americana, family heirloom, and shared
Georgia treasure, with its excellent provenance was given to and held for over two decades by a prominent
Georgia museum—only to be sold as a fund-raiser on the open market four short years ago! Fortunately
this rare portrait of Clarke is now back in Georgia in a museum setting for citizens to enjoy.
BMajor John Lindsey
John Lindsey (also spelled Lindsay) was from Halifax, Virginia, where he was born about 1750. He served
as an Aide de Camp and a Major for either the Georgia militia regiment of colonels Elijah Clarke or
William Few. He received the rank of Colonel by the end of the war. Lindsey was severely wounded in the
battle of Long Cane Creek, South Carolina, in December, 1780 (McCrady 1901:831-832). That wound
resulted in the loss of Lindsey’s hand. Surgeons devised a silver prosthesis for his missing hand and
Lindsay was known later in the war as “Silver Fist Lindsey.” Previous researchers located no mention of
John Lindsey’s participation in the battle of Kettle Creek. Current researchers also found no primary
documents confirming his participation. Lindsay may have been present, although his name is absent from
all contemporary accounts that were reviewed.
BMajor John Lindsey
John Lindsey (also spelled Lindsay) was from Halifax, Virginia, where he was born about 1750. He served
as an Aide de Camp and a Major for either the Georgia militia regiment of colonels Elijah Clarke or
William Few. He received the rank of Colonel by the end of the war. Lindsey was severely wounded in the
battle of Long Cane Creek, South Carolina, in December, 1780 (McCrady 1901:831-832). That wound
resulted in the loss of Lindsey’s hand. Surgeons devised a silver prosthesis for his missing hand and
Lindsay was known later in the war as “Silver Fist Lindsey.” Previous researchers located no mention of
John Lindsey’s participation in the battle of Kettle Creek. Current researchers also found no primary
documents confirming his participation. Lindsay may have been present, although his name is absent from
all contemporary accounts that were reviewed.
McCrady (1901:831-832) discussed the battle of Long Cane Creek, where Colonel Few commanded the
Georgia militia. McCrady remarked, “Colonel Clarke, Lieutenant Colonel McCall, and Major Lindsay were
ordered by Few to meet the enemy….Major Lindsay, who had received three wounds, was sabred upon his
head and arms, and one of his hands was cut off by Captain Lang of the dragoons, as he lay on the ground.”
Hugh McCall (1811) discussed the battle of Long Cane Creek, which includes mention of Lindsey’s
wounds, “Clarke received a wound in his shoulder, which was at first supposed to Mortal, and he was
carried off the field. Major Lindsey had fallen under three wounds, and was left on the ground; in that
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