David Pipes of Missouri

Judge David Pipes was born in Washington (now Boyle) county, Kentucky, near the city of Danville, March 31, 1811. His parents moved to Missouri when he was six years old, and settled in Boone county, then a part of Howard. Here he resided with his father's family and worked on the farm till he was 18 years old. Then be began learning the gunsmith's trade with John G. Phillips in the locality of his father's residence, and worked with his "boss " for three years. He then established a shop of his own in Howard county, in 1831. The Black Hawk war broke out soon afterwards, and Mr. Pipes enlisted for its suppression and served till the close in the battalion under Maj. John B. Clark. Returning to Howard county he resumed his trade, and also purchased a small farm which he operated in addition to his shop work. When the Mormon war came on, he again volunteered for service, and was in a short time "orderly " in the company commanded by Capt. Jared Robinson. Returning once more to his shop and farm, he drove those peaceful vocations till the gold fever seized him in 1850. He crossed the plains to California, where after mining a short time at Placerville, he proceeded to Stockton, where he purchased a team and engaged in the then lucrative vocation of freighting until March, 1851, when he came home. He sold his property in Howard county in 1852, and moved into Boone County and purchased the farm where he now resides, in Missouri Township. His homestead contains 350 acres, and he also owns another 2 1/2 miles distant from the former. Judge Pipes was married, December 23, 1832, to Mrs. Mary Williams, a widow lady of Howard County. They have three children, George, Charles, and Julia A., wife of George W. Drake, of Howard County. Judge Pipes has always been a successful manager in his private affairs, insomuch that his neighbors and the public were constrained to demand his services officially. He was appointed justice of the peace by the county court in 1840, and elected subsequently and retained 9 years. In 1876, he was elected associate justice of the county court, and in 1878 was elected presiding justice, which position he still holds. Judge Pipes and all his family are members of the Christian church, he being one of the elders of Big Springs church, in Howard county.

David Pipes was the son of George Pipes and Polly Jackman and the grandson of Sylvanus Pipes. He came to Missouri with his parents from Kentucky i about 1817. His wife, widow Mary Williams was from the Stemmons family and had been previously married to John Williams. They raised 5 children: George, Julia, Charles David, David Forrest, and Robert Emmett.

The David Pipes Letter in the Draper Manuscripts

Lyman C. Draper (1815 - 1891) was a noted collector of historical data from the 1840s until his death in 1891. He traveled across the frontier states interviewing persons who had actually participated in historical events that shaped our country. These interviews, letters and documents make up the Draper Manuscripts. I was curious as to the possibility that some member of the Pipes family was mentioned in these documents. They were so closely connected to the revolution, the frontier in Pennsylvania and in Kentucky and with noted historical figures such as Simon Kenton and Daniel Boone that there was hope for some bit of information there. Looking in the index that was prepared, I found the name of David Pipes. Included here is a brief letter written by David Pipes to Mr. Draper. The letter is an answer to a letter that had been sent by Mr. Draper to several persons who may have had personal knowledge of a man named Jesse Copher. Jesse was a frontiersman, a friend of Daniel Boone's and had participated with Simon Kenton on the infamous raid on Blue Jackets Village. David Pipes had childhood memories of Jesse and the following letter was written by him.

Rocheport, Boone County Mo. April 8th, 1884

Mr. Lyman C. Draper

Sir, yours of 17th *, 1884

** Noted your interrogation. I can only in part answer. I knew Jesse Copher many years ago when I was a small boy. My father lived within 3/4 of a mile from him when he came from Kentucky to Mo. and until he died. I remember his death, he had a coffin made before his death, and requested of his family that they should have a grave dug for him 6 or 7 feet deep which was done. - he was buried near his cabin there is grave stones standing around it. His wife survived him several years, they had three sons & five daughters, James, Samuel, & David. His wife was a daughter of George Boone. I saw James Copher his grandson; he gives me all the information about him that he has. Jesse was born in Virginia, he left that state while quite young with Daniel Boone *** and about 30 others for Ky after being there awhile they were captured at Little Sandy Salt Works **** and taken to Detroit by the indians; they were staked down on their backs of nights. Several of them were killed. Daniel Boone got away. Copher & a few others were kept by the indians for two years before they got away. He was about 62 years of age when he died; his grandsons don't believe he was a member of any church but was a very brave and upright citizen. I knew his sons & all of his daughters, but one; they all married & settled in Boone County; but are all dead; he died about fifty five or sixty years ago.

James Copher says he received a book & letter from you requesting him to write up the history of his grandfather, but owing to feebleness & inability he did not & therefore you must excuse him.

I have given you all I know and have learned about him for all the old settlers are gone. Jas. Copher & myself are the oldest living. I received a book from you for which I return  *****

Truly Yours,

David Pipes

Notes to the above:

* The date is not legible, it appears to be the letters 'ne'

** The opening 6 words are not intelligible, but appear to be 'asme safe to hand or canlissts'

*** Draper made a note on the bottom of the letter saying " error so far as leaving Va. with Boone"

**** Draper corrected the location of the capture with a line and a note saying " Lower Blue Licks"

***** The amount returned is not legible.

SOURCES:

The Draper manuscripts at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

A History of Boone County, Missouri by Western Historical Company 1882 pgs 1051 - 1052

The descendents of John Pipes Jr. By Elizabeth Ellsberry June 1964