Several well-known personalities are scheduled to make appearances at the third biennial Boone Family Reunion.

On the first day, delegates will have the opportunity to hear from Wake Forest University history professor J. Edwin Hendricks. Hendricks, who earned his doctorate at the University of Virginia, has taught at Wake Forest since 1961, recently completing a four-year period as chairman of the history department.

Indicative of Hendricks’ interests that parallel those of The Boone Society, he has worked with the International Council on Monuments and Sites, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Society of Historians of the Early American Republic, and the Historical Society of North Carolina. He has written extensively on the Revolution, North Carolina’s experiences and growth, the Constitution and preservation of sites and records.

On the second day of the reunion, we will be privileged to hear Sally Peterson, the curator of folklife at the North Carolina Museum of History for the past eight years.

One of Peterson’s interests is in the artifacts once owned by Daniel Boone. She also has thoroughly researched Boone’s involvement in North Carolina.

Peterson earned her Ph.D. in folklore and folklife from the University of Pennsylvania, and has taught there and at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Much of last summer was spent by Ken Kamper in pursuit of his dream of identifying and preserving for public appreciation the significant Boone legacy in Missouri. Kamper is a charter member and a director of the Society.

In high-level meetings, including one with the governor, he explained his concept of bringing together elements of the 1790s-1820 Boone and frontier period in Missouri.

“This concerns some 60 Boone and frontier related sites along the Missouri River from St. Louis to Kansas City,” Kamper said, “in an area I have named the ‘Daniel Boone Historical Area of Missouri.’ Being an average of 20 miles wide and 250 miles long, or 5000 square miles, it is no little thing by any means.”

Historically, the sites are immense. They include the Nathan Boone Home, Boone Burial Place, Boone Salt Lick State Historic Site, Arrowrock State Historic Site, Graham Cave State Historic Site, Missouri State Museum, Gateway Arch in St. Louis, State Archives, State Historical Society, Missouri Historical Society, several state parks, Fort Osage, and the National Trails Center in Kansas City.

Of the places mentioned by Kamper, only about half are generally known and accessible to the public through either public or private stewardship. Tourists to Missouri don’t find many of them because they are so isolated from each other and even Missourians are too often surprised to learn of their existence, said Kamper.

He identifies many other sites that almost no one knows about—state officials or history academists—such as where the Missouri Indians were essentially annihilated, the Missouri Indians’ last village site (“There is no recognized historic site for the namesake of the state,” Kamper points out), and Charette, the last white settlement that Lewis and Clark saw on their way west.

Others are where Capt. James Callaway was killed, a dozen or more War of 1812 fort sites, John Colter’s home place, Daniel Morgan Boone’s burial place, the Boone Spanish Land Grants, War of 1812 sites where white settlers were killed, Portage des Sioux, where many Indian tribes came to council and treaty between 1812-1816, previously unknown Boone family structures, Lewis and Clark Expedition sites, and William Ashley’s burial place on a bluff above the river (he was the key figure in the fur trappers’ rendezvous).

Special to Kamper are the earliest American trails westward that he found and identified: “The Daniel Boone and Frontier Families Trail,” “The Boone Trace,” “The Nathan Boone-William Clark Trail to Fort Osage,” the already known but poorly defined “Booneslick Trail,” and the start of the Santa Fe Trail at the end of the Booneslick Trail.

Unfortunately, the history of the Boones that is identified with the sites and includes the important roles of Nathan and Daniel Morgan Boone and Capt. Callaway, is conspicuously ignored in Missouri. Some of his research will be published regardless of what Missouri does, Kamper promises.

Kamper is not alone in thinking that these historic sites can draw tourism to Missouri. The town of Washington, Mo., has given him unrestricted use of the larger of several rooms at the refurbished old train depot where Amtrak still stops.

Calling it the “Daniel Boone and American Frontier Exhibit,” Kamper is redoing his old displays and adding many new ones, to explain all about the real history of Daniel Boone and his family, and how America developed westward from the east coast to and through Missouri during Daniel Boone’s lifetime. Lewis and Clark, and John Colter, who was a local figure, will also be featured.

One 8 x 12-ft. display details Boone's explorations in the east and Lewis and Clark’s in the west, connecting them both, somewhat like passing a baton, since Boone stopped in Missouri, and Lewis and Clark started there.

The exhibit, which Kamper wants to develop into a “National Daniel Boone History Museum” and a “Frontier Families Genealogy Research Center,” is located at Visitor Center–Train Depot, Front Street, Washington, Mo. 63090.

Washington is a large rural town just across the Missouri River bridge from many Boone sites in Missouri, so it is an appropriate place for promoting overlooked Boone history and sites. In time it may become a starting point for bus, car and river tours to the many sites Kamper has identified.

When delegates to the reunion arrive at the Adam’s Mark Hotel, we will gather at the Boone hospitality suite. Then, on the evening of Wednesday, June 21, we will renew old acquaintences over delicious hors d’oeuvres at the welcoming reception.

Our schedule on Thursday will include speakers and the biennial Society business meeting, followed by a group lunch in the hotel. That afternoon, we will divide into two groups to tour the unique, restored Moravian village of Old Salem, or visit Davie County and Mocksville, where the cemetery of Squire and Sarah Boone is located.

Another speaker will present on Friday morning, and after our group lunch we will break into smaller discussion groups to share specific genealogical information.

Members are invited to make suggestions about areas of specific interest for the informal discussions.

The Friday evening banquet will feature regional entertainment that is certain to delight.

Members who want to present should contact Gene Ray. Do you have artifacts to show or donations for a silent auction? We want to know.

The President's Corner
By Gene Ray
MrGray@worldnet.att.net

Wow! It’s really 2000. It will be some time before we get used to saying that. For some it’ll be even harder saying ’01 or ’02. “When did that happen?” someone will ask. “Oh, that was back in ’02,” we’ll reply, and someone will have to pause and wonder “1902 or 2002?” Fortunately, we Society members involved with genealogy have a greater understanding and appreciation for dates. We’ll adapt just fine.

Our Winston-Salem reunion is only five months away. Included in this issue are registration details. More information will be coming, but it’s not too early to let us hear from you. I want to thank those who responded to my letter asking for input for the genealogy discussion groups that are planned. I think we’ll have the opportunity to learn a lot from one another.

Remember to share information about the reunion with others. Any historical or genealogical society with links to the Boone family, that geographic area or period should know of our plans. As always, non-members are also encouraged to attend.

I’m looking forward to seeing you in June. Until then, have a wonderful New Year! — GR

Society board election in spring; candidates sought for 8 director seats

Every two years, the board of directors of the Society stands for election. The bylaws requires the vote to precede the biennial Boone Family Reunion, where the results are announced.

The board of directors governs the Boone Society between general membership meetings. How this is done is loosely spelled out in the bylaws:
“Members of the Board shall serve the Society and represent it before the public. Directors are empowered to direct—they shall push, pull and prod to advance the Society’s goals.”

Directors serve two-year terms. There is no limit to the number of terms a director or officer may serve. The other members of the board are the officers, the president, vice president, secretary and treasurer, who serve four-year terms.

Nominations for office may be made by any member. A letter from the nominee acknowledging willingness to serve in that office must be received by the board by April 15th.

Ballots then will be mailed to members.

President Gene Ray encourages all members to consider the opportunity to have an impact on the direction of the Society.

“We are in a unique position being a young organization that is alone in its field,” he said. “Whatever we do blazes new trails, so members who have creative ideas and a passion for genealogical investigation and public relations are needed on the board.”

Ray points to the Society’s new non-profit status as one principal goal that was achieved since the last reunion. The Society also helped develop a public display honoring Edward Boone at the site of his murder in Kentucky.

“Virtually everywhere you look is an opportunity for us,” believes Pete Holste, the Society vice president. “So many people are interested in the history that we research, and they see us as a well-positioned resource.”

Ray and Holste stress that the board is an ideal spot for a member who wants to initiate activities.

In the 1998 election, 11 candidates, including four incumbents, competed for the eight positions.

Board business is conducted by mail, telephone, fax and e-mail, except for the biennial board meeting at the reunion.

Letters of application to the board and questions should be addressed to The Boone Society, Inc., PO Box 500642, Atlanta, Ga. 31150-0642. Questions also may be sent to Gene Ray or Pete Holste.

Down-to-earth storytelling and music await reunion

A taste of the North Carolina arts is what attendees may long remember, as several of the finest practitioners will entertain them at the reunion.

G. Lee Hearl, who performs as the “Highland Herald,” is truly an authentic Appalachian storyteller. He writes and performs his own stories and songs, and he delivers them in his native Appalachian dialect.

Hearl was born in the mountains of Virginia at the beginning of the Great Depression when the only form of entertainment was mountain music, reading and the telling of stories.

His talent as a story teller first emerged at age nine when his teacher asked the class to tell a favorite story. They seemed to like his, because he was asked to tell others, and from that day on he thought of himself as a storyteller “of sorts.”

At an early age Hearl taught himself to play the guitar, fiddle, autoharp and mandolin and when he went to work in the “big city” he took his talents with him and was soon performing on radio in Danville, Va.

He is a founding member of the Jonesboro, Tenn., Storyteller’s Guild, a charter member of The Barter Storytellers, Abingdon, Va., and a founding member of the Beaver Creek Storytellers of Bristol, Va./Tenn. He has written an impressive repertoire of stories and songs that includes side-splitting humor as he tells stories of mountain people, spirits and the Viking exploits.

The “Highland Herald” has performed at the Appalachian Regional Fair, Gray, Tenn., Virginia Highlands Festival, Abingdon, Va., the Tennessee State Square Dance Convention, Johnson City, Tenn., White Top Ramp Festival, Mount Rodgers, Va.; New River Festival, Fries, Va., and Lee University, Cleveland, Tenn.

Queries

Joseph M. Boone served with Co. F, 1st Georgia Cavalry, Coweta Co., Ga. Arthur T. Boone, 1221 King St., Jacksonville, Fla. 32204. 904/389-0408

Hannah Boone and George Barger had a son, John Barger (1793-1851). Was Hannah the dau of Josiah Boone and Hannah Hite? Robert E. Lair, Jr., 1009 Brantham Ct., Charlotte, NC 28211. rlair@bellsouth.net

Harriet Burwell (?), believed to be g-dau of Jemima Boone, m (?) Cutter and had 2 sons, Frank and Leslie; m2 David Schwartzel and had 3 dau, Sara, Viola or Violet (“Ole”) and Matilda (“Tilly”). Harriet was said to have cared for elderly Rebecca Boone. Vicki Gockenbach, 1333 Holtan Rd., Stoughton, Wisc. 53589. 608/877-9302 canoe722@aol.com

Seeking pictures of Squire Boone (brother of Daniel) and wife Jane Van Cleve. Dave Redden, 3312 Valhalla Drive, Lexington, Ky. 40515 Leighite@aol.com

Interested in contacting anyone researching the Boon family of Maryland’s Colonial Eastern Shore (today’s Kent, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Dorchester and Caroline counties.) I also would like to hear from anyone researching Capt. Hawkins Boone of the Twelfth Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line. He was killed in action at the Battle of Fort Freeland, 7/28 1779, near today’s Turbotville, Pa. Larry DeFrance, 657 North Warren, Helena, Mont. 59601. 406/449-3442 larry@helenet.com

Susanna Boone and William Hays’ ch and spouses? Grandchildren? Alexandra Robbin, 158-71st Way, NE, Minneapolis, MN 55432-3021. alexrobbin@juno.com

Samuel Boone m Sarah Bobo, son James Thomas Boone b ca 1860. Arthur Hopkins, 21355 Puffin Drive, Bend, Ore. 97701. arthopkins@transport.com

Seek descendants of Boon(e) families in and around Minden, La. 1850-1880. Sharon Hamner, 1304 Salem Lane, Chapel Hill, NC. 27516-7980. shamner@mindspring.com

Elizabeth Boone b ca 1780 m William Fisher in Philadelphia, Pa. abt 1800. Dau Martha Boone Fisher b 1806 in Darby Twp., Pa. m Jonathon Roberts in Pa. and moved on to Ga. Jonathon left his wife and family in Ga. and went to Cal. in 1846. Family stories say Elizabeth was of the George Boone line from England. Lynn Watson Norfleet, 10323 Bloomsbury Rd., King George, Va. 22485. 540/775-4183 lnorflee@mwc.edu

Checking Boone ancestor's travels, work in Indian schools

A new member of the Society is looking for clues about her grandmother’s adventurous move south around the turn of the previous century.

Geraldine Ingersoll writes that Minnie Grace Boone, who was born Dec. 18, 1882, somehow was transplanted from her home in Caldwell, Idaho, to the Mexico border states where she taught in Indian mission schools.

Minnie’s parentage was: Theodore W. (1844) and Martha Boone, Daniel (1809) Boone, Daniel Morgan (1769) Boone, Daniel (1734) Boone, Squire (1696) Boone.

She married about 1918.

Contact Ingersoll at 537 W. Calhoun St., Sumter, S.C. 29150, GFJay@aol.com.

Translation help

Volunteers in 14 languages are helping genealogists solve their translation nightmares.

According to the winter 2000 issue of Reunions Magazine, the translators work for free on their coffee breaks, so they ask that your requests not exceed 40 lines.

Send your request along with your name to trans@genealogy.net

Web sites

Here is a site that concerns the accuracy of data on the internet: http://www.iigs.org/newsletter/9904news/ethics.htm

An aid for determining ages in census records: http://vax1.vigo.lib.in.us/~jmounts/cendates.htm

Hold on, you don’t have to copy everything on your field trips, says “The Frugal Genealogist”: http://www.iigs.org/newsletter/9904news/frugal.htm.en

A St. Charles Co., Mo., database from Pioneer Families of Missouri by Bryan and Rose: http://www.pastracks.com/states/missouri/stcharles/

A history of western North Carolina (see you there in June 2000?): http://www.ls.net/~newriver/nc/wnc4.htm

Register by Mar. 31 to be entered in a drawing for an out-of-print book about Boone, or another door-prize.

Registration fee includes welcoming reception, bus tours, roundtable discussions, annual banquet, plus the meals and events listed below.

* Lodging, other meals and travel are arranged for by each registrant. Please telephone the Adam’s Mark hotel for room reservations:
(1-800/444-ADAM).

Please make registration check payable to The Boone Society and mail it to:
Treasurer
The Boone Society, Inc.
23 Nord Circle Rd.
North Oaks, MN 55127

Reunion rates (including member discounts)
Individual & Family members ( $149.00/per person )
Explorer & Life members ( $134.00/per person )
Non-member ( $157.00/per person )

Return to Boone Society, Inc. Page