The Pioneers by David McCullough
Is about the people who settled Marietta, Ohio in the then NW Territory. The author read numerous original letters, journals and other sources from the time period, so it is quite factual. I wasn't born here, but I live in Marietta and had heard the book was coming out. I like knowing about the history of where I live, and the names of the people who settled here are remembered with reverence and affection, probably across the whole state. My daughter has a copy of it. I picked up my daughter's copy of the book today and read just a few pages after I checked the index.
I had heard some stories about local battles with Native Americans. I heard that a woman was alone with her children and got enough warning of a raid to hide herself and the kids in a hollow tree, saved them all. Her husband came home and thought his whole family was killed, great relief to find them alive. Several years ago, we saw the marker commeorating the loss of life at Big Bottom, north of Marietta on the Muskingum River. I didn't come across the story of the family, but read about the massacre at Big Bottom, and the early failures of an army led by Gen. St. Clair, and gathered to fight Native Americans in the NW Territory.
I'm not sure I like the way the book is written, but I don't know if it's McCullough's style or that it's been awhile since I read non-fiction history. My grandson is reading it right now, and maybe when he is done, I'll try it again.
= new reply since forum marked as read
It took me 4 years to read another book 
I like that people in Marietta are so aware of their history and the history of the area. There is a fb page called Memories of Marietta. If you are on fb, you might enjoy joining it and maybe renewing ties to the area
