Daniel Boone

Anyone who has ever taken a history class has heard of Daniel Boone (1734-1820). No doubt he was fascinating. He's an American icon -- pioneer and hunter. He's sometimes remembered more for the tall tales than about his real life but nevertheless, he was quite accomplished.

Most notably he explored and blazed a trail through the Cumberland Gap into Kentucky which was outside the 13 colonies. He opened the doorway, so to speak, and hundreds of thousands followed after him to settle before the close of the 18th century. But did you know he was also a militia officer in the Revolutionary War, captured by the Shawnees, and adopted into their tribe? He later escaped and went on to defend the settlelments in Kentucky. In the years after the war he deepened in debt and eventually settled in Missouri where he spent his final years. (NOTE: this is a small recap of the life and times of Daniel Boone - there is much more to the story if you're so inclined to study him.)

As fascinating as all that is, I found a sentence he wrote in a letter to Sarah Boone in October 1816 even better, mostly because it provides insight to his character (thanks to Steve for introducing me to this quote):

"The religion I have is to love and fear God, believe in Jesus Christ, do all the good to my neighbor, and myself that I can, do as little harm as I can help, and trust on God’s mercy for the rest."