Transylvanians

A Colony Started by Colonels

Transylvania is commemorated on May 23rd because it was on that day after establishing Boonesborough that the delegates and leaders from other parts of Transylvania arrived to meet in order to hold a Constitutional Convention. Among the events that occurred on this day bewilder the imagination in terms of the use of today's language and terms. The three key figures were pioneers and civilian "Colonels" Judge Richard Henderson, Daniel Boone, and Thomas Slaughter.

The Convention was held at the end of the Wilderness Road under what has become known as the "Divine Elm" tree which was declared by Col. Richard Henderson as the "Church, State-house, and Council Chamber" for the 14th colony of North America. It was on this day that the primary delegates were commissioned as Col. Henderson's representative statesmen from four settlements Harrods Town, Boiling Springs and St. Asaph's, each sent its delegates to Boonesborough to establish the government of Transylvania.

Boonesborough 23 May, "Eighteen delegates met in session under a gigantic elm, and were addressed by Colonel Henderson. They organized a government and passed sundry laws, under his advice, providing for courts of law, for regulating the militia, fixing clerks' and sheriffs' fees, issuing writs of attachment, prohibiting profane swearing or Sabbath breaking, for the protection of game, for improving the breed of horses, to prohibit firing the range, and guaranteeing complete religious freedom and the toleration of all sects."