Jonathan 'John' Clark and his wife Ann Rogers emigrated from Virginia in 1784 to take up their residence at the Falls of the Ohio with their son General George Rogers Clark.

Mr. and Mrs. Clark, their children and servants, escaped certain death at the hands of Indians when Mrs. Elliott, the wife of a Capt. Elliott, who had frequently been a guest at the Clark home in Caroline county, Virginia, failed to extend the courtesy of her house and board to them on March 3, 1785, as they voyaged down the Ohio River.

The Clarks had apprised Capt. Elliott of their plans to journey to the new settlement, and had been urged by the Captain to visit his home and to become acquainted with his wife and young daughter. John Clark and one of his men went ahead to announce to Capt. Elliott the arrival of their family. Ann's father was greeted by Mrs. Elliott, who told of her husband's absence on a hunting trip. Uneasy at the coolness of his reception Ann's father re-joined his travel-worn family in the boats and proceeded to Fort Nelson, where they were welcomed.

The Clarks resumed their journey just before Indians attacked the Elliott cabin, killing and scalping Capt. Elliott's brother, who arrived immediately after the Clark family's departure. Mrs. Elliott and her daughter made a miraculous escape from the cabin to the river bank, unseen by the savages. The Elliott's embarked to seek security at Fort Nelson, where they were comforted and befriended, first of all, by the Clarks.