Later Explorations
Explore: Let’s meet some other early explorers.
The early explorers and colonists formed the America we know today, but they were not the only people who set out to explore unknown areas and make history. Since the beginning of time, people have been drawn to exploring far from home. For example, when the colonists arrived in Plymouth, the colony of Jamestown was already created.
Nearly 200 years would pass before any real migration to the American west occurred. But in between, adventurous people expanded the western edge of the “New World,” setting the stage for America’s frontier expansion.
Disclaimer: The story of Daniel Boone is recorded through journals and oral accounts, and many of the legends of Daniel Boone are not verified. What we do know is that he had the courage to explore the unknown.
Land He Could Call His Own.
Daniel searched for land which he could call his “own.” He was an English settler but considered himself an American. Boone was hired by a company trying to make Kentucky a new colony. The trail was eventually called the “Wilderness Road,” where Boone built “Boonesborough” the fort he founded. While Daniel Boone is seen as a hero and one of America’s most famous explorers, he lived his life poor because he did not own any of the lands he helped settle.
His Life & Family.
The stories of Boone have elevated him to folk-hero status. Not just because of where he lived his life, but how he lived his life. Daniel and his wife had 12 children. One of his daughters and two friends were kidnapped by a Shawnee Native American group, led by a leader named “Blackfish.” It took several weeks, but Daniel led a hunting group that was able to get the girls back. He and his family moved around America, working various jobs to support his wife and children.
Folk-Hero Status.
Daniel fought many battles against Blackfish and the Shawnee tribe with little help or supplies. In addition to his fighting exploits, Boone is famous for trailblazing the “Cumberland Gap” for settlers. This area is part of the Appalachian Mountains, which cover an area from New York to Mississippi, including the town of Boone, North Carolina, named after Daniel Boone himself. Boone’s explorations made him a hero because his trail made it possible for more of the western United States to be settled.
“Curiosity is natural to the soul of man and interesting objects have a powerful influence on our affections.”
– Daniel Boone
