John Filson papers, 1785-1786. Composing this volume are four original journals and narratives by Filson (circa 1753-1788), a surveyor, author, and teacher, who in 1784 published a map of Kentucky and the first book about Kentucky and Daniel Boone. Included are: Filson's diary, May 18-July 25, 1785, covering his trip from Pennsylvania to Post St. Vincent (Vincennes, Indiana) by way of the Ohio and Wabash rivers; an account of his trip by land from Post St. Vincent to the Falls of the Ohio, August 6-15, 1785; an undated narrative about his travels in 1785 entitled “A Journal of two Voyages from the falls of the Ohio to Post St. Vincent ...”; and an account, dated in June 1786, discussing a later trip from Post St. Vincent to the Falls of the Ohio, its interruption by Indian attack, the 1786 expedition against the Wabash Indians, and the dissension among Americans, French, and Indians at Post St. Vincent.
