Outdoors Appalachia

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Brief History of Jenny Wiley

Jenny Wiley was a pioneer woman who lived in the late 18th century in what is now Eastern Kentucky. Her story is one of courage, perseverance, and survival in the face of incredible adversity.

Born in Virginia in 1760, Jenny married Thomas Wiley when she was just 16 years old. The couple moved to what is now Floyd County, Kentucky in 1780, where they built a cabin and began farming. In 1789, Jenny was captured by a group of Native Americans who were raiding the area. She was taken captive along with her six children, two of whom were killed during the raid.

Jenny and her surviving children were taken on a grueling journey through the wilderness to a Shawnee village in what is now Ohio. There, they were separated from each other and forced to adapt to a new way of life.

For the next 11 years, Jenny lived as a captive of the Shawnee tribe. She was given the name "Old Woman" and was forced to do hard labor and endure harsh living conditions. Despite these challenges, Jenny never lost hope that she would one day be reunited with her family.

In 1800, Jenny finally escaped from captivity with the help of a friendly Native American woman. She made her way back to Kentucky, where she was reunited with her husband and some of her children.

Jenny's story quickly became legendary in Kentucky and beyond. She became known as a symbol of strength and resilience in the face of adversity. In 1810, she published a memoir of her experiences titled "Jenny Wiley: An Unfortunate Woman."

Today, Jenny Wiley is remembered as a pioneer woman who overcame incredible odds to survive and thrive in the wilderness. Her story continues to inspire people around the world.

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