A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Mary Jemison offers a remarkable perspective on eighteenth-century America. A white settler by birth, Mary Jemison was taken captive as a child in 1758 and adopted by two Seneca sisters. Refusing offers to return to settler society, she chose to spend the remainder of her life as a Seneca wife, mother, and respected community member. In 1823, the now-elderly Jemison shared her life story with white American writer James Seaver, who published it as a captivity narrative the following year. Conscious of the impacts of Seaver’s editorial hand, this edition foregrounds Jemison’s voice while also recentering Indigenous perspectives through an informative introduction and an illuminating selection of contextual materials.

This first-hand account of Mary Jemison's capture and life among the Seneca Indians in the 18th century is a captivating glimpse into the experiences of Native Americans and white settlers during this time in history. The book highlights Jemison's resilience and adaptation to her new way of life, while also delving into the conflicts and complexities of race relations in early America. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

"A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Mary Jemison" by James E. Seaver is a captivating biography that transcends genres, offering readers a compelling glimpse into the remarkable life of Mary Jemison. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Seaver masterfully chronicles the extraordinary journey of Mary Jemison, who was abducted by Native Americans during the French and Indian War and subsequently adopted into the Seneca tribe. At its core, Seaver's narrative blends elements of biography, historical documentation, and cultural exploration. Through Mary Jemison's experiences, readers are transported to the frontier of colonial America, where the clash of cultures and the resilience of the human spirit are vividly depicted. Seaver's work delves into themes of identity, belonging, and cultural adaptation, offering profound insights into the complexities of Native American-European relations during a tumultuous period in American history. With rich detail and poignant storytelling, "A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Mary Jemison" stands as a timeless testament to the power of resilience and the enduring quest for understanding across cultures and generations.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.