Tim Mandell
Daniel Boone was in Richmond on Monday, recounting his early years, the travels that led him to settle in Kentucky and assorted other tales involving family and friends.
Boone, as portrayed by Scott New, spoke to a crowd of about 25 people at First Christian Church, as part of an event hosted by the Boonesborough Chapter of the Daughters of American Revolution and presented by the Kentucky Humanities Council.
The event was in conjunction with Boone’s 275th birthday, which is Oct. 22 on the Julian calendar in use by the British Empire in 1734, or Nov. 2 on the Gregorian calendar, which Great Britain adopted in 1752.
Staying in character for nearly an hour, New gave an animated performance in telling how Boone’s travels eventually brought him to Kentucky, where in 1775, he settled in Madison County.
New didn’t break character until the end of the performance when he answered several questions from the audience.
Boone, who was born in Berks County, Penn., first visited Kentucky in 1767, then again in 1769 during a two-year hunting expedition.
In 1773, he led six families on a quest to move to Kentucky, but after six people were killed by American Indians, the move was abandoned.
Two years later, Boone settled in Boonesborough.
In portraying Boone, New used several props, including a musket, a canteen and a knife.
New said he recently got back from Pennsylvania, where he spent 10 days portraying Boone as part of a celebration of the historical figure’s birthday.
New, who has portrayed Boone for 10 years, works currently as a character interpreter for Kentucky State Parks.
Tim Mandell can be reached at tmandell@richmondregister.com or 623-1669 ext. 6696.
