American Pioneer: Daniel Boone

Daniel Boone was an American pioneer, explorer, and frontiersman. He is most famous for his exploration and settlement of what is now Kentucky, but at the time was part of Virginia. As a young adult Daniel Boone made up for hi farm income by hunting and trapping animals for their pelts, which he would then sell in the fur market. Through occupational interest, Daniel Boone first discovered easy routes through the area. In 1775, Boone blazed his Wilderness Road that led through the Cumberland Gap in the Appalachian Mountains from North Carolina and Tennessee to Kentucky despite some resistance from local tribes. Daniel Boone then founded one of the first American settlements west of the Appalachain Mountains, the village of Boonesborough in Kentucky. By the end of the 18th century, over 200,000 European people migrated west of the Appalachian Mountains into the Kentucky and Virginia area using this route. Daniel Boone played an important role in the exploration and settlement of the western states. …show more content…
Boone served under Captain Hugh Waddell on the North Carolina frontier. Above Waddell in the chain of command was General Edward Braddock who was assigned to lead Waddell. Daniel Boone acted like a wagoner at this time. In the Battle of the Monongahela, General Braddock's troops were defeated and his baggage was attacked by Native American Indians. In the attack on the baggage wagons, Daniel Boone, who was on wagoner role barely escaped in the near death attack. He remained critical of Braddock's blunders for the rest of his life. While on campaign, Boone met John Findley, who would take him on his fateful hunting trip to Kentucky twelve years