Christopher Gist

History fascinates me, especially when it involves one of my ancestors, such is the case with Christopher Gist. From the Ohio History Central website:

Christopher Gist was an explorer, surveyor and accomplished frontiersman. He was born about 1706 in Maryland to Richard and Zipporah Gist.
...
Gist returned to the Ohio Country, this time with George Washington, in the winter of 1753-1754. The Ohio Company sent the two men to the region to negotiate with French military forces. The French had constructed Fort Duquesne near Shannopin's Town to prevent English settlement of the Ohio Country. Negotiations failed, but during the trip Gist saved the young Washington's life on two separate occasions.
...
Gist provided England and its colonists with the first detailed description of southern Ohio and northeastern Kentucky. While Daniel Boone is generally given credit for opening Kentucky to white settlement, Gist preceded the frontiersman by more than fifteen years.

Click here to access the website.