Frances Slocum
1773–1847 (age 74)
Captive/Pioneer
Biography
Frances Slocum (1773–1847) lived a remarkable life marked by extraordinary circumstances. Captured by Native Americans as a young child in 1778, she was adopted into the Delaware Nation and lived among them for most of her life, eventually becoming known as Maconaquah. Her unique experience bridged two worlds during a pivotal period in American history.
Slocum's life story became one of the most documented accounts of cultural exchange and adaptation during the frontier era. She maintained her adopted identity and family ties until her death, and her legacy is preserved in Slocum Cemetery, where she is remembered as both a pioneer and a bridge between cultures.