When he was fourteen his brother Sam
married Sarah Day, an intelligent young Quakeress who took a
special interest in her young brother-in-law and taught him "the
rudiments of three R's."
The Boones were prosperous and happy in Oley and it may be
wondered why they left their farms and their looms, both of which
were profitable, and set their faces towards the Unknown. It is
recorded that, though the Boones were Quakers, they were of a
high mettle and were not infrequently dealt with by the Meeting.
Two of Squire Boone's children married "worldlings"--non-
Quakers--and were in consequence "disowned" by the Society. In
defiance of his sect, which strove to make him sever all
connection with his unruly offspring, Squire Boone refused to
shut his doors on the son and the daughter who had scandalized
local Quakerdom. The Society of Friends thereupon expelled him.
This occurred apparently during the winter of 1748-49. In the
spring of 1750 we see the whole Boone family (save two sons) with
their wives and children, their household goods and their stock,
on the great highway, bound for a land where the hot heart and
the belligerent spirit shall not be held amiss.
Southward through the Shenandoah goes the Boone caravan. The
women and children usually sit in the wagons.
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