James Daugherty

Daniel Boone Wilderness Scout James Daugherty

Daniel Boone was an important historical figure before, during and after the American Revolutionary War. He was born on November 2, 1734. In his long life of 86 years, America went from a mostly unexplored backwoods wilderness that was a British colony to a settled and developed area. Probably the most important single accomplishment of Daniel Boone was his development of the Cumberland Gap as the only direct transit route through the Appalachian Mountains from Virginia to Kentucky. Daniel Boone explored the gap, made the gap wider and helped immigrants reach it. By 1800, 200,000 immigrants had crossed the Cumberland Gap to reach Kentucky. At a time when there were no roads and only Indian trails, Daniel Boone crossed back and forth so many times it is hard to keep count. Daniel Boone traveled as far west as Nebraska. He traveled by horse or by foot. He was a businessman and a politician. He served in the Virginia state legislature. He went broke many times. He was a man of peace who tried to avoid conflicts but nevertheless was involved in battles with the Indians and with the British during the French and Indian Wars and the American Revolutionary War.