Slocum was a white child captured by Delaware Indians in Pennsylvania in 1778. A Delaware couple adopted her to replace a dead daughter (see also Shenandoah) and renamed her Weletawash, later Maconaquah (Little Bear Woman). She lived with the Delaware and Miami people for the rest of her life.

She first married a Delaware man and then a Miami chief named Shepancavah. When he became deaf, he resigned the chieftainship and they established a trading post called Deaf Man's Village.

Her birth family always believed she was still alive, and in 1835[!] she was discovered living happily in Indiana. She remembered enough of her background to be positively identified but she had forgotten how to speak English. Two years later she was visited by her surviving siblings, but she had grown to distrust white people, was happy in her life, and refused to leave her adopted tribe and family.

References

Dictionary of American Biography
Meginness, John Franklin. Biography of Frances Slocum, the Lost Sister of Wyoming. (Jersey Shore: Zebrowski Historical Services, 1991))
"Frances Slocum." Formerly available at: http://doe.state.in.us/LearningResources/msl.htm

Indexes

European
USA
18th Century
19th Century
Business and Industry
Pre-school Years
Captured by Another Tribe or Group
Others ("Strangers")
Wealthy, Famous, Noble or Divine Adoptive or Foster Families
Trans-Racial, Trans-Tribal, International or Trans-Cultural Adoption or Fostering
Customary or Traditional Adoption, Informal and Extra-Legal Care
Birth Sibling(s) Remained With or Returned to Birth Family
Birth Family Traced Adoptee/Fosteree