Marker #994 Drummer Boy at 7

Historical Marker #994, “Drummer Boy at 7,” is dedicated to Nathan Futrell, best known as the youngest drummer boy in the Revolutionary War.

Futrell was born in 1773 in Northhampton County, North Carolina, and served as the drummer boy for North Carolina’s marching militia. Beyond his service as a drummer boy, not much else is known about his time of service.

Futrell’s military service was not recognized until 1959. An affidavit was found in family papers that stated:

My Consorte Nathan Futrell served as a drummer player in the North Carolina Militia during the Revolut. at age 7 yrs.

It was signed by Charity Futrell.

Futrell married Charity in 1789 and moved to the Donaldson Creek area of Kentucky in 1799. There, he established his family and his livelihood. He was also a founding member of Donaldson Creek Baptist Church, which is still open today.

Futrell was a farmer, surveyor, election officer, and a fruit tree grower. He reputedly grew the first apple orchard in Kentucky. He is also credited with opening the first primitive grist mill in Trigg County.

Governor Joseph Desha appoint Futrell as Trigg County’s Justice of the Peace on October 24, 1824.

According to the Captain Wendell Oury Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Futrell also served in the War of 1812.

Nathan and Charity had nine children, and he died at the age of fifty-six on August 31, 1829. He is buried behind his home.