Silas Harlan (March 17, 1753 – August 19, 1782) was one of the early settlers of Kentucky, having arrived with James Harrod in 1774 to found Harrodstown - the oldest permanent white settlement in the territory (now Harrodsburg). Silas spent the majority of the American Revolution on the frontier fighting against the Indians, however, near the end of his life, he served under George Rogers Clark through the Illinois Campaigns of 1779 and died at the Battle of Blue Licks on August 19, 1782 fighting a mixed band of Natives, Loyalists and British troops.