I've been reading Daughters of Destiny. It is a collection of short stories of women who excelled or displayed great talent in a specific area either courage, lyrics, or another area.
One story in particular caught my attention, the story of Elizabeth Jameson. She married a young man who'd fought in the War for Independence; they settled for awhile as a young couple farming. Eventually they decided to move west, packed up thier belongings and headed out. As they attempted a river crossing the raft logs unbanded and Mr. Jameson washed into the river and drowned. Elizabeth holding her baby is dragged down river. With great effort Elizabeth manages to wash ashore bringing herself and her baby safely on shore. Her remarkable resilience allowed her to walk upstream find the ox cart with their supplies still waiting to be crossed over and bring them to a spot hidden from Indians. She built a little hut and established herself in the area deciding it safer to wait for another party traveling through than traverse the forest through its dangers. Planting potatoes and another crop she provided well for their future. One day, picking blackberries she left her babe on the ground as she picked. Turning around she realized her babe fixedly looking at something, as she neared the spot she saw it: a huge reptile stood coiled hissing at her dear child. A blow with a stick turned the snake's attention to herself and she stood transfixed in fear as it threatened to strike. Lifting a hasty prayer she proceeded to place a glove on her arm. The snake struck and she caught it around the neck. With her hands she closed its' jaws but it wraped its body around her waistline. With great courage she managed to saw its head of with a knife and tossed the head far from her. It wasn't over, the body continued to tighten around her almost suffocating her; eventually the coils loosened and she pried free. After about two months other settlers found them but instead of taking them with them, they decided to settle in that scenic area. The settlement grew and Elizabeth eventually remarried.
This is a remarkable account of courage and resilence on the part of woman raised in a wealthy household. Read Daughters of Destiny for more thrilling, exemplary, stories in history.
Wheeler, Nicole. Daughters of Destiny. Mantle Ministries. 2001
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