Elizabeth & her children were taken prisoner when her husband was killed by the Indians; Elizabeth, carrying a baby, walked too slow; one of the Indians took the baby and bashed its brains out against a tree; a two year old was left behind and never seen again as she couldn't keep up; her oldest child, Lewis, survived.

Following article is from the “North Carolina Journal”, May 29, 1793.

"Lexington, (Kentucky) April 6.
On the 26th of March a company consisting of nine men, two women and eight children, on their way to this state, were attacked about five miles from the Hazel Path towards Laurel river, about an hour before sunset, by a party of Indians supposed to be about thirty.The nine men dismounted and defended the women and children for about 15 minutes, during which time they fired 4 or 5 rounds, but being overpowered and the Indians closing on all sides, the whole were killed or taken, except 4 who escaped, one of which is dangerously wounded.

Names of the killed and missing. Joel Corder and his family-James Anthony and his family-Mathews Flournoy-Spilman. Thomas Penifton and James Jones, wounded-Robert Bid, James M’Farland and William Anthony, escaped unhurt.The above account is given by on of the men who escaped."

Elizabeth escaped from the Shawnee Indians with the help of a Frenchmen; She was put aboard a ship headed for Edenburgh, Scotland. Once on board, s he donned a suit of men's clothing, cut her hair, and put on a hat. A group of Indians searched the boat for her, but because she was so well disgu ised they failed to recognize her. Reportedly she later married the capta in of the boat, whose surename was Cartwright. As far as can be determined she was never again in contact with her family.