Kidnapped and Sold by Indians: True Story of Settler Child

by Matthew Brayton, Chet Dembeck

This first-hand narrative of the life of Matthew Brayton, a seven-and-a-half year old white child of a settler who was kidnapped and sold many times by Native Americans in the beginning of the 19th century, probably doesn’t share all the gory details of his abuse when initially captured, but you can read between the lines.

Still, this first-hand account does shed much light on what it was really like to come under the charge of many different Indian tribes. Although Brayton’s treatment was not entirely negative or positive, his frank and blunt story does much to dispel the romantic stories that have been perpetuated about young settlers’ children who became Indian chattel. It does much to tell true history and dispel any deliberate or accidental revisions. In many cases the Indians treated Brayton well, but there can be no doubt that they stole from him and his family a life that would end up confused and stuck between two worlds.

Although Brayton did finally unite with many of his natural family, he never stopped identifying with Native Americans, and he was forced to leave an Indian wife and child behind. In fact, when the War of Rebellion or Civil War broke out, Brayton enlisted and served in an American Indian brigade.

Chet Dembeck

Genres: Nonfiction, History

Nook

First published May 4, 2010

Reviews

[Louraine Millington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Boy Lost

It’s hard to understand the things that occurred in this era. Indians fighting with settlers yet were just as savage against other Indians. Always for reasons we will never understand. This boy Matthew found his way home after 34 years of living with various tribes, then after it is validated that he is indeed Matthew, he ends up denying it and leaves his family and joins the cavalry. After reading his story I can only conclude that the White way of life was far too tame and quiet after his 34 years of constant activity, so joining the cavalry quench his thirst for war, action and living it rough as he so so accustomed too. May he Rest In Peace.

[Russell G Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impossible, but true account of a lad that disappeared in the ancient

Primal forest and recovered and restored years later to family, friends and future with his original destiny now in sight.

[Donna Martenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and educational

Excellent book! It kept my interest the whole time, although it was challenging to read at times due to the author's lack of education. Well worth reading because of the historical value!

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was both good and bad.

SPOILERS

It was good because it was interesting. The search for his white family was amazing, he would never manage that today with the population. Just showed how sparse it was that word 'got around' that he was looking for them.

It was bad because it showed the prejudice against the Indians ('savages'), and I thought it was sad that he didn't go back to his wife and children but stayed with the whites (who he never even remembered previously) and turned christian.

I don't know what happened to him in his future, whether he went back or not, but I left the tale, instead of feeling sorry for a boy whose potential life was stolen from him, with the feeling of disappointment in him.

[Glenn Younger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this on Kindle through Amazon because I wanted to get a glimpse into that part of American history. Parts of it did turn out to be interesting, but it was bogged down by choppy storytelling. I did walk away with some insight into the movements and activities of different Indian tribes, but I never did get a true sense of the main character since he didn't tell the story of his youth from his own emotional memories. Rather, he recounted what he had been told from the tribe's elders, which made his story dry in nature.

[Nicholas Maulucci · Rating 3 out of 5]

an old book but very enjoyable. this not only told the story of a kidnapped young boy, but also has excellent sociological and cultural information concerning several different tribes of Indians. the genre of Indians and white and their interactions continues to grow on me. while the book is written in a little more of a mcguffy reader type style, an avid reader would enjoy this book, I think. I'm glad I ran across it.

[Patrick Kenneally]

Return to Warren, Ohio

having heard some stories about this type of kidnapping
that occurred back In the nineteenth century it was interesting to see how this story brought the modern day reader an
understanding of the travels and trials of Indian lifestyle from my present day home.

[Bobby Dees · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazingly keeps your attention.

It is amazing that the memories of all of the different tribes that Mathew was sold to after 34 years was so intact that he could retrace his steps to locate his family, not to mention his own memory in retelling the story. Very interesting and well worth reading.

[rita k wheatley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not at all what I expected

the story is more a narrative of Indian daily life than experience and treatment he received as a captive. the book leaves you to guess whether he abandoned his Indian wife and children. too many unanswered questions.

[Freya Sarkozi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a Life story

Not at all what I was expecting. I assumed this was a book about the experiences of this child, but it's more of a short explanation about the different habbits of the native american tribes

[Amy Griffith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read written by a man who was kidnapped by Indians as a child. Because it is a short book, the author doesn't tell a lot about life with the various tribes he spent time with, but it is an interesting book.

[Clint · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. A short first-hand account of life with Indians in the 1850s ranging from the upper mid-west to the Canadian western arctic.

[Teri Pre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not great literature but an interesting story.

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was interesting considering it was supposed to be in the words of the child who had remained with the Indians for more than 30 years.

[Ellen Mcdermott · Rating 4 out of 5]

In an effort to get my 12 year old to read, I came accross this free book on Kindle. Nice read and would be good for the adventurous young teen.

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting, but nothing special. Formatting had a lot to be desired, but glad I got to read it.

[Ris · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ending is just plain sad! I just don't understand how one can ditch their wife and children and never look back.

[Rrsimpson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the type book you might have to read in a college history class. Factual and interesting, but dry.

[Santino Maulucci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.

[Mackey L. Beard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Story

I really enjoyed reading this interesting story. I learned a lot about some Indian tribes and their way of life.

[Kris Pate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye opening history that is the untold dark side of Native Americans. True story that changes the way we think of the Old West.

[Truitti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sad story of a life living on the edge of two society's. Sad how it affected Matthew and both cultural families.

[Berto1017 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. It gives fresh insight to the dynamics between Indians and settlers. I liked the unique perspective from someone who was niether aligned with the Indians nor the settlers.

[Syrica · Rating 4 out of 5]

captivating

I was intrigued from the beginning. Following the adventures was almost like being there. Amazed and captivated the whole journey.

[Lynda H Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kidnapped 7 year old and raised by Indians

Kidnapped and Sold By Indians caught my attention because I like history especially when it is a true story.
I give this 5 stars.