Description
The powerful story of the brave men and women who helped build America.
America’s First Frontier is about New York’s early days, settlers journeyed into the wilderness to build a new life. They faced hunger, disease and the biggest threat of allmankind. Hostile Indians, French mercenaries and British loyalists were all daily threats to the lives and homesteads of the early pioneers.
The frontiers of New York were critical to the success of the revolution and the founding of America. The empire of the Iroquois and the Five Nations was at the pinnacle of its power and influence. The French and the British wanted to use the land for their own profit. And the Americans wanted freedom.
Never was the resourcefulness and courage of Americans more apparent than at the very edges of civilization in an untamed land. They cleared their own fields and built their own homes. When the men volunteered for militias and marched off to battle, to fight and perhaps die, pioneer women were left alone to guard their homes and children.
From the first settlers in the 17th century through the American Revolution, Halsey shows how critical the New York frontier was to the founding of America and the dramatic personal courage of those who lived there.
Endorsements
The work is wonderful, rich and should inspire a masterclass in every American History department. I think often about the Iroquois, and their description as being the pinnacle of human hunter gatherer existence is insightful. The book is enjoyable and a great resource.– Author of An American Tale of Freedom’s Promise by Patrick Michael McFadden
About the Author
Francis Whiting Halsey was born in Unadilla, New York in 1851. He was a journalist, lecturer, editor and historian. He lectured extensively and was a member of New York State History Association. He wrote for The New York Times and was the first editor of its Book Review. He died in 1919.
