Captivity Narrative: Rachel Parker Plummer, 1818-1839
Captivity narratives detailing the treatment/mistreatment of Settlers by Natives after capture, their eventual survival and return to White society, had been a popular genre of American literature since the first such written by Puritan preacher's wife Mary Rowlandson in the 17th century. While early narratives tended to focus on the captive's faith in God, and God's protection of them throughout their ordeal, later narratives tended to play up the alleged brutalities of the Natives and the sheer grit and survival of the captive. The narrative of Rachel Parker Plummer, captured by the Commanche in Texas, is one such example. Rachel was born in Crawford County, Illinois, the daughter of James W. Parker. James and his wife had five children. Rachel and two others survived to adulthood. They were part of a large network of families that included Rachel's much young cousin, Cynthia Ann Parker. While still in Illinois, at the age of 14, Rachel married Lu...