06/22/2026
Happy Father's Day!
Daniel and Rebecca Boone had 6 sons, last of which was Nathan Boone. Nathan and his wife Olive settled this property after trading with Robert Hall. Nathan missed out on the initial land grants from the Spanish in 1799, as he returned to Kentucky to marry Olive. The couple arrived early 1800 and traded a horse, a bridle, and a saddle for the acreage along the Femme Osage Creek.
Daniel and Nathan's brother-in-law William Hays signed the trade as witnesses. In a much later interview with historian Lyman C. Draper, Nathan recalls that "...when I was married, it grieved the old colonel that he had nothing to give me and my wife with which to start our new life." Daniel's presence at this property shows his investment in his youngest son's future and family.
As a grandfather, Daniel and Rebecca took special care of Nathan's children. In 1809, they temporarily moved to St. Charles to be with James, Nathan's son who was schooling in the city. James had gotten homesick and the grandparents "...took a room at St. Charles, and kept house there for some time and made a home for little son James."
These little windows into the family life of the Boones help sketch out the character of Daniel Boone.
What memories do you share of relatives in your life?
Quotes from My Father, Daniel Boone, edited by Neil Hammon
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