Marker #729 "Pioneer" Ward: Historical Marker #729 stands on the southeast corner of West Main Street and Holy Street in front of the Martin County Courthouse.

Historical Marker #729, “James ’Pioneer’ Ward,” commemorates Revolutionary War veteran James Ward, a member of the Virginia militia who moved to Kentucky in 1780. In addition to fighting in the American Revolution, Ward battled Native Americans and served in the Kentucky legislature. He also served as one of eleven pallbearers for Daniel Boone’s casket when Boone was reinterred in Frankfort, Kentucky, in 1845.

Ward was born in Virginia on September 19, 1763. Two years after his father was killed at the 1774 battle of Point Pleasant, Ward enlisted as a private in the Virginia militia and served in the American Revolution. In 1780, Ward and his brothers explored Kentucky and settled in current-day Mason County.

Ward and his brothers joined several expeditions, including one with Colonel Benjamin Logan as a captain in one of Logan Raids. He also served with Simon Kenton to retrieve stolen horses from the Shawnee in Ohio. There, Ward met White Wolf, previously known as John Ward. This was James’ older brother, whom the Shawnee had kidnapped when John was three years old. John was adopted into the Shawnee and married a Shawnee woman. While negotiating with the tribe, a fight broke out. White Wolf was fatally injured.

Ward also served under General “Mad” Anthony Wayne at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794.

Ward served Mason County as a Kentucky representative in the 1810, 1816, and 1818 sessions and in the state senate from 1823 through 1827.