Early History of Green County, Kentucky

by Ray Perkins
2007

Ranney, a noted genre painter, depicted the scene on the 7th Day of June 1769 when Daniel Boone and his hunting companions, John Finley and James Monay (Mooney-Money), first viewed “the beautiful level of Kentucky.”  Not represented in this scene were companions John Stewart, Joseph Holden, and William Cool, all members of the 1769 hunting party.

James Monay, Sr. (Mooney-Money) was an Indian scout and Indian fighter during the French and Indian War.  He became an explorer and “Long Hunter” in the untamed lands of Kentucky, long before Kentucky became a state.  His name is synonymous with that of Daniel Boone in most history books.

James Monay, Sr. died in Green County on his farm in 1821.  He is buried in a small family cemetery located on the top of a small knoll near Highway Route 569 and Lena Ward County Road.