A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Mary Jemison

Captured by Native Americans as a young girl during the French and Indian War, Mary Jemison’s life took a path few could imagine. Adopted into the Seneca tribe, she embraced their customs, language, and way of life, becoming a respected member of their community. Her remarkable story, dictated in her later years to James E. Seaver, offers a rare, firsthand account of frontier America, cultural transformation, and survival. Through her eyes, readers experience the clash of civilizations, the brutality of war, and the deep bonds of kinship that shaped her destiny. More than just a captivity narrative, this book is a testament to resilience and identity, exploring the complexities of belonging and the enduring strength of the human spirit. A powerful and deeply personal chronicle of a life lived between two worlds, Mary Jemison’s story remains one of the most compelling accounts of early American history.