Definition
Daniel Boone is an American frontiersman and legendary folk hero who helped blaze a trail through Cumberland Gap, a notch in the Appalachian Mountains near the juncture of Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Boone led settlers over the mountains, opening the western territory of Virginia to settlement, and establishing Kentucky.
Quick Facts
- Born — November 2, 1734.
- Died — September 26, 1820.
- Spouse — Rebecca Bryan.
- Children — 10 children, six sons and four daughters. Their names were James, Israel, Susannah, Jemima, Levina, Rebecca, Daniel Morgan, Jesse Bryan, William, and Nathan.
- Famous For — Boone is famous for blazing the Wilderness Road and defending Kentucky from Native American Indians.
- Relatives — His cousin, Daniel Morgan, was a successful General in the Continental Army and led American forces to victory at the Battle of Cowpens.
- Nicknames — “The Great Pathfinder,” “Big Turtle.”
Accomplishments and Career Highlights
Early Life and Career
- Daniel Boone was a “Long Hunter,” going on month-long hunts in the Blue Ridge Mountains as early as 13.
- He served as a teamster in colonial forces for the Braddock Expedition, which was ambushed and defeated at the Batte of the Monongahela (July 9, 1755).
- Boone served in the North Carolina Militia during the Anglo-Cherokee War (1758–1761).
Establishing Settlements in Kentucky
- He first passed through the Cumberland Gap and entered Kentucky in 1769.
- Boone helped Richard Henderson buy land in Kentucky from the Cherokee Indians where Henderson intended to establish the Transylvania Colony.
- In 1775, He led an expedition into Kentucky to cut a road through the wilderness from North Carolina. This became known as the Wilderness Road.
- Boone led a group of settlers into Kentucky and established Boonesborough in September 1775.
Defense of Kentucky and the Frontier
- In 1776, his daughter, Jemima, and two other girls were kidnapped by Shawnees. Boone led a rescue party into Ohio and saved them.
- In 1777, Boone was wounded when the Shawnees attacked Boonesborogh. Simon Kenton saved his life.
- Boone was captured by the Shawnees in 1778 and taken prisoner. He was adopted by Chief Blackfish and called “Big Turtle.” He escaped in June 1778 and ran nonstop for 5 days and 160 miles to Boonesborogh.
- The Shawnees pursued him and laid siege to Boonesborough. Boone helped defend the settlement and the Shawnees eventually abandoned the Siege.
- Boone established a new settlement, Boone’s Station, in 1779.
American Revolutionary War
- In 1780, Boone served under George Rogers Clark. Boone helped build Fort Washington, at the site of present-day Cincinnati, Ohio.
- Boone was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1781 and had to travel to Richmond. On the way, he was captured by British forces under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton. Boone was held for a few days and then released on parole.
- Boone fought in the Battle of Blue Licks (August 19, 1782). A contingent of Loyalists and Indians ambushed a Kentucky Militia force led by Colonel John Todd. Boone was second-in-command.
Boone’s Exploits Published
- Historian John Filson published a history of Kentucky called “The Discovery, Settlement and Present State of Kentucke.” The book included stories about Boone’s exploits and made him famous.
Northwest Indian War
- Boone served under Benjamin Logan and participated in Logan’s expedition against Shawnee towns in Ohio in October 1786.
Missouri
- Boone eventually left Kentucky over land disputes.
- He moved to Missouri, which was part of Spanish Louisiana.
- The territory became part of the United States in 1803 when the Louisiana Purchase was completed.
- The Lewis and Larke Expedition visited his settlement in 1804.
Significance
Daniel Boone is important to the APUSH curriculum because of the role he played in blazing the Wilderness Road and establishing settlements in Kentucky.
Video
This video from the Kentucky History Channel provides an overview of his life and career.
Resources
APUSH Units
Daniel Boone is part of the following:
- Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution (1700–1775)
- The Road to Revolution (1763–1775)
- America Secedes from the Empire (1775–1783)
American History Central Entries
- Daniel Boone — Biography and Career
- Manifest Destiny — History and Overview
- Wilderness Road — History and Overview
American History Central Articles
- Daniel Boone Homestead, Birthplace of an American Legend
- Daniel Boone Cuts the Wilderness Road and Opens Kentucky for Settlement
- Death of Ned Boone, Daniel Boone’s Brother
