Daniel Boone and Joshua, the Mohican: American Lives and American Myths

Abstract

This article compares the life and legend of Daniel Boone (1734–1820) with that of his obscure contemporary, Joshua (1742–1806), a Mohican man whose life unfolded along a remarkably parallel, yet dramatically different course. Both men were born in the East, and moved steadily westward during their lifetimes, on roughly parallel routes. Both men were adept in Native and White ways. Yet Boone died of old age, while Joshua went to a fiery death as an accused witch at the hands of Tenskwatawa, the Shawnee Prophet. Boone became a legend during his own lifetime, while Joshua has remained consigned to a few footnotes. This article asks what narratives of America are possible with Joshua's story at the fore.