Born aboard ship en route from Ireland, Mary Jemison (née Jameson) was just 15 when she was abducted in 1758 from her Buchanan Valley home. While her Shawnee captors killed other members of her family, they spared Mary, later trading her to a Seneca tribe where she was adopted by two Seneca women.
After the war Mary lived on with her Seneca family, becoming a leading member of the tribe. She was twice married to Seneca chiefs and acquired substantial property in New York state. Although she had chances later in life to leave the Seneca, she chose not to. Mary died at the age of 90.
During 2008, the 250th anniversary of Mary’s capture, events commemorating her remarkable life are planned. Learn more here.
Mary Jemison was born Mary Jameson. How did she become known as Mary Jemison?
Mary turned down several opportunities to return to white society, even going so far
as to hide from those who would take her back. Why did she refuse to return? | 
