Did Daniel Boone have a secret Shawnee wife? This Kentucky fort holds clues

Daniel Boone’s Four Months as Shawnee "Big Turtle"

Daniel Boone wasn’t just a frontiersman – he was once a Shawnee. On February 7, 1778, Chief Blackfish’s warriors caught Boone hunting near Blue Licks.

Instead of fighting, Boone had his 30 men give up and then talked Blackfish out of attacking Fort Boonesborough.

The Shawnee made him run the gauntlet but soon took him in, naming him “Sheltowee” (Big Turtle) for his slow, steady walk. For four months, Boone lived as a Shawnee, even turning down a British ransom offer.

Then, on June 16, he fled, racing 160 miles in five days to warn the fort of a coming attack. The remarkable story of Boone’s Shawnee life unfolds at Fort Boonesborough State Park in Kentucky.

Boone’s Bold Choice Saved 30 Men at Blue Licks

In January 1778, Daniel Boone took 30 men from Fort Boonesborough to make salt at Blue Licks. They needed salt to keep meat fresh through winter.

While hunting alone on February 7, over 100 Shawnee warriors led by Chief Blackfish surrounded Boone. He talked with Blackfish instead of fighting and convinced his 30 men to give up without bloodshed.

Boone told Blackfish the fort would surrender in spring when warmer weather would let women and children travel north safely.

The Painful Test Boone Survived Before Becoming Shawnee

The Shawnee held a meeting about what to do with their prisoners. Some wanted to kill them, but Boone talked them into sparing everyone.

Before joining the tribe, Boone had to run the gauntlet, sprinting between two lines of warriors who hit him with clubs and switches.

Most captives got badly hurt, but Boone did so well that the warriors praised his strength. The tribe then took in Boone and several other captives to replace warriors who had died.

Why They Named Him “Big Turtle” During Adoption Ceremonies

The Shawnee pulled out most of Boone’s hair, leaving only a scalp lock styled like a warrior’s. Boone joined a Shawnee family, maybe Chief Blackfish’s own home.

They called him Sheltowee, meaning “Big Turtle” in Shawnee.

The name came from how Boone looked carrying heavy packs with his broad shoulders, moving slowly like a turtle. This followed Shawnee custom of replacing dead tribal members with captives who got full rights as Shawnee.

The British Tried to Buy Boone for 100 Pounds

In March 1778, Blackfish took Boone and other prisoners to Detroit to meet British officials.

British Governor Henry Hamilton wanted Boone badly and offered Blackfish 100 pounds sterling for the famous frontiersman. This was a lot of money back then.

Blackfish turned down the offer and refused to sell his newly adopted son.

After the meeting, Boone went back to Chillicothe village with Blackfish instead of staying with the British.

Life Among the Shawnee Looked a Lot Like Home

Boone lived in the Shawnee village along the Little Miami River in Ohio for four months. He joined daily activities and went hunting where he showed his wilderness skills.

The Shawnee liked how well Boone could hunt and survive in the woods. During this time, Boone learned some Shawnee language and customs.

He fit in well but never forgot his Kentucky settlements. Stories later spread that Boone took a Shawnee wife during this time, but nobody knows for sure.

The Hunting Trip That Changed Everything

On June 16, 1778, Boone went hunting with his adopted Shawnee family near a salt lick on the Scioto River. During this trip, he heard something scary.

Boone learned Blackfish planned to attack Fort Boonesborough with 400 warriors and British allies. The fort had weak defenses and few men to protect it.

Boone knew his friends and family might die if he didn’t warn them. Despite living well with the Shawnee for months, Boone decided to escape right away.

His Five-Day Race Through Wilderness Became Frontier Legend

Boone slipped away from the Shawnee camp on June 16, 1778, starting an amazing journey. He rode horseback as far as possible through thick Ohio wilderness.

When his horse couldn’t go on, Boone went on foot. He crossed the dangerous Ohio River and pushed through unknown territory with almost no food.

Boone traveled about 160 miles in just five days, using all his survival skills to make it.

The Fort Almost Didn’t Believe Their “Dead” Friend

Boone stumbled into Fort Boonesborough on June 20, hungry and tired after his five-day journey. People at the fort could hardly believe their eyes.

Many thought Boone had died months ago or joined the Shawnee for good. He quickly told everyone about Blackfish’s coming attack with 400 warriors.

This warning gave the settlers time to get ready. Not everyone welcomed Boone warmly, though.

Some settlers wondered if he had switched sides during his long stay with the Shawnee.

Settlers Scrambled to Fix Their Crumbling Fort

The fort had gotten shabby during winter. Walls needed fixes, gates hung loose, and defenses had weakened.

Boone helped organize quick repairs to strengthen the walls. The fort had fewer than 60 fighting men against an attacking force of 400.

Women and children came inside from nearby cabins for safety. Everyone worked to store bullets, food, and water for the coming attack.

They knew their lives depended on these preparations.

Blackfish Called Boone “Sheltowee” During Failed Peace Talks

Chief Blackfish arrived at Boonesborough in September 1778 with 400 warriors plus British allies. He asked to speak with Boone, still calling him Sheltowee and treating him as an adopted son.

During their talk, Blackfish reminded Boone of his promise to surrender the fort. Boone refused, saying things had changed and Boonesborough would fight.

The Shawnee felt betrayed by Boone’s escape and rejection. When talks broke down, the siege began, lasting 11 days with constant attacks.

Boone Faced Trial For Being Too Friendly With The Enemy

After the settlers successfully defended Boonesborough, Boone faced serious accusations from his own people.

In October 1778, military authorities put him on trial for surrendering his men at Blue Licks, living comfortably with the Shawnee, and possibly making deals with the British in Detroit.

Boone defended himself by explaining how he tricked Blackfish and escaped to warn the fort. The court-martial cleared Boone of all charges and even promoted him to major.

The trial showed how complicated frontier loyalty became when cultures collided and survival required difficult choices.

Visiting Fort Boonesborough KY

Fort Boonesborough at 4375 Boonesborough Road in Richmond recreates the frontier settlement where Daniel Boone returned after his four-month captivity with the Shawnee.

You can visit Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., April through October. Admission costs $8 for adults and $5 for kids 6-12.

The annual siege reenactment happens September 20-21, 2025 with Native American camps and battles at 2 p.m. Your ticket also includes the Kentucky River Museum.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

Read more from this brand:

• They called him Big Turtle: how Daniel Boone played double agent in Shawnee country
• The day Daniel Boone ignored his own warning and lost his son to a Shawnee ambush at Blue Licks, Kentucky
• The Boy Scouts’ surprising origin in Civil War Kentucky