John Filson

The Discovery, Settlement and Present State of Kentucke: and an Essay Towards the Topography, and Natural History of That Important Country John Filson

John Filson's, "The Discovery, Settlement and Present State of Kentucky: And an Essay Towards the Topography, and Natural History of that Important Country: To Which is Added, an Appendix, Containing The Adventures of Col. Daniel Boone, One of the first Settlers, comprehending every important Occurrence in the political History of that Province ...", published in 1784, is the first descriptive account of Kentucky and the first narrative of Daniel Boone. The book was immensely popular and was translated into French and German numerous times, with a Paris edition appearing in 1785. Topics addressed include Kentucky's discovery and purchase, as well as boundaries, topography and terrain, climate, rivers, soil, inhabitants, rights of land, and trade. The 32-page Appendix, outlining the "Adventures of Col. Daniel Boon; containing a narrative of the Wars of Kentucke," is the first known narrative of Daniel Boone, and the portion of the book believed to be most responsible for drawing so much attention to the work. The Appendix also contains, "The Minutes of the Piankashaw council held in 1784;" "An Account of the Indian Nations inhabiting within the Limits of the Thirteen United States, their Manners and Customs, and Reflections on their Origin;" and "The Stages and Distances between Philadelphia and the Falls of the Ohio," as well as other geographical topics. Included is a drawing of Daniel Boone and a Map of Kentucky, which was drawn by Filson, and was the best, up to that time, for the topography of Kentucky country. Paperback, (1784), repr. 2011, Illus., Map, Appendix, 124 pp.