The Taking of Jemima Boone

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In his first narrative nonfiction work, Matthew Pearl delves into the little-known true story of the kidnapping of Daniel Boone's daughter and its dramatic aftermath. On a midsummer day in 1776, thirteen-year-old Jemima Boone and her friends Betsy and Fanny Callaway vanish near Boonesboro, their screams echoing in the air. A Cherokee-Shawnee raiding party has taken the girls as part of the ongoing conflict between American Indians and colonial settlers. The raiders' leader, Hanging Maw, recognizes Jemima as the daughter of a prominent pioneer and sees her as a valuable pawn in the struggle to drive colonists from Kentucky. As Daniel Boone and his posse pursue them, Hanging Maw devises a plan that could lead to greater peace between the tribes and settlers. Meanwhile, the girls cleverly leave clues for their rescuers. The ensuing ambush by Boone and his men results in a battle with unpredictable consequences. Pearl's riveting account of Jemima Boone's kidnapping highlights the early days of America's westward expansion and the violent cultural clashes that occurred. This captivating narrative uncovers a forgotten chapter from the Revolutionary War, revealing the moral complexities and unexpected alliances that shaped America's transition from colony to nation.