Early Pioneers Before Westward Expansion: John Audubon, Nathaniel Bowditch, George Rogers Clark, Stephen Decatur, Francis Marion, Justin Morgan, Zebulon Pike, John Sevier, Benjamin West, Sarah Witcher, etc. 

Dates covered: 1750-1799

Contains affiliate links

If you appreciate these resources, please consider supporting me on Patreon to enable me to continue to provide more free resources.

Books: 

Benjamin West: Gifted Young Painter A Childhood of Famous Americans biography, Pennsylvania. Middle Students. 

Benjamin West and His Cat Grimalkin Benjamin West was born with an extraordinary gift—the gift of creating paintings of people, animals, and landscapes so true to life they “took one’s breath away.” But Benjamin is part of a deeply religious Quaker family, and Quaker beliefs forbid the creation of images. Because Benjamin’s family didn’t approve of his art, he had to make his own painting supplies. The local Native Americans taught him how to mix paints from earth, clay, and plants. And his cat, Grimalkin, sacrificed hair from his tail for Ben’s brushes. Pennsylvania. Younger to Middle students. 

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch Readers today are still fascinated by “Nat,” an eighteenth-century nautical wonder and mathematical wizard. Nathaniel Bowditch grew up in a sailor’s world—Salem in the early days, when tall-masted ships from foreign ports crowded the wharves. But Nat didn?t promise to have the makings of a sailor; he was too physically small. Nat may have been slight of build, but no one guessed that he had the persistence and determination to master sea navigation in the days when men sailed only by “log, lead, and lookout.? Nat’s long hours of study and observation, collected in his famous work, The American Practical Navigator (also known as the “Sailors? Bible?), stunned the sailing community and made him a New England hero. Level 4.1. Middle to Older students. Massachusetts. 

Francis Marion Francis Marion, often referred to as the Swamp Fox, was one of America’s most important Revolutionary War leaders. He and his small band of men battled the British in the fields, woods, rivers, and swamps of South Carolina. They never let up, disrupting communications and supply lines. His daring raids helped America gain independence. But how much of his story is true? This new story for children helps them find out. Middle students. South Carolina.

Francis Marion: Young Swamp Fox, Childhood of Young Americans series about a boy who grew up to be a famous military leader in the French and Indian War as well as the Revolutionary War. South Carolina. Middle Students. 

George Rogers Clark: Boy of the Northwest Frontier This biography details the childhood adventures of George Rogers Clark, the older brother of William Clark of the famous Lewis and Clark expedition. George was a courageous explorer and Revolutionary War hero whose bravery and leadership helped win the Battle of Vincennes,. George’s boyhood curiosity and zest for exploration are described, including his adventures while camping, riding horses, and playing with his childhood friend Thomas Jefferson. Young explorers follow George into the woods, where he rescues a baby raccoon, outwits a thief, and hunts his first deer. Middle students. 

John Audubon and the World of Birds for Kids: His Life and Works, with 21 Activities As a child, John would often skip school to roam the countryside. He collected bird nests, unique stones, bits of moss, and other items of interest and developed his talent for creating dramatic bird portraits and skills for observing them in the wild. Using his abilities as an acute observer, skilled writer, and exceptional artist, Audubon wrote and illustrated a book, Birds of America. Cataloging all these creatures took enormous time and effort—but even more difficult was finding a way to publish it. To make his book a reality he had to persuade wealthy investors to support his dream. The stories of his adventures pursuing the unique birds of the America captured the imagination of audiences. Audubon became a larger-than-life figure and dubbed himself “the American Woodsman.” Includes 21 hands-on activities and valuable resources for budding ornithologists hiking in his footsteps. All Ages. 

John Sevier: Pioneer Boy An American soldier, frontiersman, and politician, and one of the founding fathers of the State of Tennessee. Childhood of Famous Americans series. Middle students. Tennessee. 

Justin Morgan and the Big Horse Race Picture Book. Justin Morgan is a proud, beautiful stallion living in the hills of Vermont. He works hard to help farm the land and when he has time to play, he loves to run through his field, bucking and rearing as he goes. One day, two racehorses appear and challenge him to a race. What Justin doesn’t know, however, is that the two racehorses plan to trick him into racing twice – once against each horse. Will Justin accept the challenge, and if he does, is there any way he can win two races? Younger to Middle students. Vermont.

Justin Morgan Had a Horse Joel Goss knows that Little Bub is a special colt, even though he’s a runt. And when schoolteacher Justin Morgan asks Joel to break the colt in, Joel is thrilled! Soon word about Little Bub has spread throughout the entire Northeast — this spirited colt can pull heavier loads than a pair of oxen. And run faster than thoroughbreds! This is the story of the little runt who became the father of the world-famous breed of American horses — the Morgan. Middle to Older students. Vermont. 

Sarah Whitcher’s Story Little Sarah wanders away from her family’s cabin into the New Hampshire forest, and settlers come from all across the countryside to help find her. As the long days pass, the searchers grow desperate, but Sarah’s father’s trust in God holds firm. Younger to Middle students. New Hampshire. 

Stagecoach: The Ride of a Century Recounts the history of the stagecoach in America from the early days of the Republic to the westward expansion, using illustrations, historical documents, maps, and fictional diary entries. Level 5.8. Middle students. 

Stephen Decatur: Gallant Boy Childhood of Famous Americans series. A biography of the famous naval officer who commanded the squadron which forced the pirates on the Barbary Coast to stop seizing American ships and men. Middle students. Maryland. 

Stephen Decatur: Fighting Sailor Stephen Decatur grew up loving the sea. His father had been a naval officer in the American Revolution. When Stephen was only eight, he accompanied his father on a voyage to France. At nineteen, Stephen joined the Navy as a midshipman and fought in the undeclared war with France. Soon afterward there was trouble with the Barbary pirates of North Africa. Now in command of a ship of his own, Stephen won worldwide fame for his courage and daring. He was the hero of the Battle of Tripoli. Later he won new honors in the War of 1812. When his ship was outnumbered and Decatur had to surrender, the English captain said to him, “Sir, I refuse to take the sword of any officer who has fought so gallantly.” Younger to Middle students. Maryland.

The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon Picture Book. If there was one thing James loved to do more than anything else, it was to be in the great outdoors watching his beloved feathered friends. In the fall of 1804, he was determined to find out if the birds nesting near his Pennsylvania home would really return the following spring. Through careful observation, James laid the foundation for all that we know about migration patterns today. Capturing the early passion of this bird-obsessed young man as well as the meticulous study and scientific methods behind his research, this lively, gorgeously illustrated biography will leave young readers listening intently for the call of birds large and small near their own home. Younger to Middle students. Level 4.4. Haiti/US.

The Bear That Heard Crying – A True Story of a Three Year Old, Sara Whitcher That Got Lost in the Woods Picture book. In 1783, little Sarah gets lost in the woods and, after being found, tells her rescuers about the mysterious big black dog that kept her warm through the night, in a dramatic retelling of a true story from New Hampshire. Level 3.5. Younger to Middle students. New Hampshire.  

The Cabin Faced West Ann Hamilton’s family has moved to the western frontier of Pennsylvania, and she misses her old home in Gettysburg. There are no girls her age on Hamilton Hill, and life is hard. But when the Hamiltons survive a terrible storm and receive a surprise visit from George Washington, Ann realizes that pioneer life is exciting and special. Younger to Middle students. Level 5.1. Pennsylvania. 

Young Audubon: Boy Naturalist Also published as John Audubon: Boy Naturalist. Childhood of Famous Americans series. As an adult, John Audubon was the best known wildlife artist of the 19th century, and his book, Birds of America, is the standard against which all subsequent bird art has been measured. In this story about the artist’s childhood in the West Indies and France, John’s love of drawing sends him into the fields and woods near his country house in pursuit of winged models. Games and adventures also beckon: John confronts a ghost in the old water mill tower, presents his friend Cecile with a surprise birthday gift (that goes horribly wrong!), and sails off to seek his fortune in America. Special features include a summary of John’s adult accomplishments, fun facts detailing little-known information about him, and a time line of his life. Middle students. Haiti/France/Pennsylvania. 

Zeb Pike: Boy Traveler Childhood of Famous Americans series. Introduces Zebulon Pike as a child, showing what led to him becoming a famous explorer for whom the famous Pike’s Peak was named. Younger to Middle students. Pennsylvania. 

Zebulon Pike Expeditions and Other Adventure Let’s talk about the expeditions of Zebulon Pike. He was an American brigadier general and adventurer who explored the new Louisiana territory. Because of his significance contribution to the US expansion, the El Capitan mountain in Colorado was named after him – the Pikes Peak. Read more about the life, times and adventure of Zebulon Pike. Read this book today. Middle to Older students. Pennsylvania.

Extras from this time period: 

Little House: The Martha Years

• Little House in the Highlands Expanding onthe classic American pioneer saga from the award-winning Little House series, this prequel follows Laura’s great-grandmother, Martha. It’s 1788, and six-year-old Martha lives in a little stone house in Glencaraid, Scotland. Martha’s father is Laird Glencaraid, and the life of a laird’s daughter is not always easy for a lively girl like Martha. She would rather be running barefoot through the fields of heather than acting like a proper lady! But between lessons, Martha always finds time to play on the rolling Scottish hills. Scotland. All ages. 
• The Far Side of the Loch In the second volume of the Martha Years series, seven-year-old Martha finds herself alone after the holidays since everyone in her family is busy, but when she gets a pet hedgehog and learns that her cousins are moving across the street, things suddenly get exciting! 
• Down to the Bonny Glen Martha is frustrated because Mum has said she’s too old to be playing on the moors now, and she must have a governess.First there’s Miss Norrie. All she must to do is teach Martha sewing and etiquette. But Martha’s high spirits are too much for her, and she leaves in a hurry. Martha thinks that’s the end of that, but then another governess shows up. Her name is Miss Crow, and Martha is sure she’s going to be even worse!
• Beyond the Heather Hills In this fourth book in the Martha Years series, ten-year-old Martha journeys to the bustling city of Perth to visit her newly married sister Grisie. This is Martha′s first time beyond the familiar heather hills and this city on the River Tay is more exciting than she could have ever imagined! Scotland.