Being Daniel Boone in America

Boone

Early Life

Daniel and his family on the farm in Pennsylvania

Daniel shows his hunting skills

Daniel is mischievous and pulls a prank on his friend

Decisions, crises, or turning points

Daniel heads for the frontier

Daniel is taken by the Shawnee

Daniel escapes from the Shawnee

Chosen Occupation: Frontiersman, Pioneer, Soldier

Influential People

Simon Kenton was a friend of Daniel and helped save his life in battle

The Shawnee shaped much of Daniel's life, both by fighting him and adopting him

His family supported him both when he was young and old

Contributions to Culture

He is an icon of the pioneer days especially for scouts

More legends and stories have grown up around Daniel than many other frontiersman

Answer the following questions

Give a general statement about why we even should care to know about Daniel Boone.

Daniel Boone was a good man in the wild American frontier: he was brave, strong, courageous, adventurous and dutiful. He may never have learned much in school, but he received an education in frontier life that he used to help many people who wished to settle in Kentucky and other parts of the Midwest.

2. Tell about early childhood and young adult events that molded his character and set him on life direction. Tell about education and family conditions.

Daniel's father was a good role model for Daniel because he stood by the family and supported them. He also made it clear that Daniel's gift was to be a skilled hunter and that schooling was less important than being able to survive in the wilderness. Because Daniel came from a large family there was some need to be able to provide for oneself in ways that schooling could not afford on the frontier.

3. What were any special points of decision or turning point that enabled him to become outstanding in his career path? what made him unique? Were there any crises that disrupted his life plan? Were there events that seemed to be God's guidance and blessing?

The turning point for Daniel came when he moved to Kentucky and became a frontiersman, guiding people through trails and helping them acquire land, and defending them against Indian attacks. What made him unique was his fearlessness and incredible ability to know the layout of the land as well as his fidelity to others. His capture by the Shawnee was a crisis that he overcame and so was his court martial. But each time God seemed to be guiding him and his truthfulness always steered him in the right course.

4. Who were people along the way whose influence guided Daniel Boone. How?

People who guided Daniel along his way were his father, his friends, and his family. Each offered support in different ways -- his father with his support for hunting, his family with their support in his old age and in battles, and his friends with their support in wars and in careers.