Historical Sketches of Kentucky by Lewis Collins, Maysville, KY. and J. A.
& U. P. James, Cincinnati, 1847. Reprinted 1968. Madison County.

CAPT. JAMES ESTILL, in honor of whom this county received its name, was a
native of Augusta county, Virginia.  He removed to Kentucky at an early
period, and settled on Muddy creek, in the present county of Madison,
where he built a station which received the name of Estill's station.  In
1781 in a skirmish with the Indians, he received a rifle-shot in one of
his arms, by which it was broken.  In March, 1782, with a small body of
men, believed to be about twenty-five, he pursued a similar number of
Wyandodts across the Kentucky river, and into Montgomery county, where he
fought one of the severest and most bloody battles on record, when the
number of men on both sides is taken into account.  Captain Estill and his
gallant Lieutenant South, were both killed in the retreat which succeeded.
Thus fell (says Mr. Morehead in his Boonsborough address), in the
ripeness of his manhood, Captain James Estill, one of Kentucky's bravest
and most beloved defenders.  It may be said of him with truth, that if he
did not achieve the victory, he did more - he deserved it.  Disappointed
of success - vanquished - slain, in a desperate conflict with an enemy of
superior strength and equal valor, he has nevertheless left behind him a
name of which his descendants may well be proud - a name which will live
in the annals of Kentucky, so long as thee shall be found men to
appreciate the patriotism and self-devotion of a martyr to the cause of
humanity and civilization.  

Estill South Morehead
=
Augusta-VA Montgomery-KY 

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/madison/estill.j.txt