Indian Captive: Notes

1. Facts
● Name: Mary (Molly) Jemison
● Indian name: Corn Tassel / Little Woman of Great Courage
● Year that she was taken captive: 1758
● Friends: Shining Star (good sister) and Little Turtle (teaches Molly the Seneca
language)
○ This is a true story that happened in the United States during the
Indian-American War about a girl that was taken captive by Indians
(Seneca tribe).
○ During Molly’s journey to Genesee she deals with the grief of being taken
prisoner, losing her family and adapting to the Senece lifestyle.
○ The story of Mary Jemison is important and different because, at the end,
she decides to stay with the Indians instead of going back to life with the
white people.

2. The Journey of Mary Jemison

● Pennsylvania
○ Molly lived in a farm with her white family, the Seneca tribe take her
● Marsh Creek Hollow
○ Molly is adopted by two Indian sisters. She is a replacement for their dead
brother
■ Shining Star (good sister to Molly)
■ Squirrel Woman (bad sister to Molly)
● Fort Duquesne
○ Molly is almost rescued by white people on the journey from Fort
Duquesne to Genesee
● Genesee (Seneca Village)

Comparison: Seneca and White Lifestyle

Seneca Lifestyle White Lifestyle

● Natural medicine ● European medicine
● Molly was taught about plants ● Molly was taught cooking, knitting
and nature and cleaning
● Teamwork ● Individual work