American Legends & Folklore Annie Oakley Oakley, Annie (1860–1926) In American history and folklore, stage name of Phoebe Anna Oakley Mozee, a markswoman and member of ...Read More Betsy Ross Painting depicting the story of Betsy Ross presenting the first American flag to General George Washington, by Edward Percy Moran ...Read More Buffalo Bill Buffalo Bill (1846–1917) In American history and folklore, the popular name of William Frederick Cody, scout and showman. Born in ...Read More Butch Cassidy Butch Cassidy (1866–1911?) In U.S. history and legend, assumed name of Robert Leroy Parker, leader of the Wild Bunch, an ...Read More Calamity Jane Calamity Jane (1848–1903) In U.S. history and folklore, popular name for Martha Jane Canary, noted for her marksmanship, who dressed ...Read More Captain Kidd Captain Kidd (1645–1701) In British and American history and folklore, popular name of William Kidd, privateer. Born in Scotland, Kidd ...Read More Devil’s horse The Devil’s horse is in Ozark folklore, the colloquial name for the praying mantis. It is considered bad luck to ...Read More Howe’s Masquerade Howe’s Masquerade In U.S. history and folklore of the Revolution, a masked ball held by the British general Sir William ...Read More Joe Baldwin Joe Baldwin - In American folklore, a train conductor who was decapitated when his train was rammed by another train ...Read More Joe Magarac Joe Magarac (jackass) In American literary folklore, a superhuman steelworker and folk hero of the Pittsburgh area steel mills, invented ...Read More John Henry John Henry In American folklore, a black hero, born in Black River Country “where the sun don’t never shine.” When ...Read More Johnny Appleseed Johnny Appleseed (1774–1847) : In American history and folklore, popular name of John Chapman, Massachusetts-born orchardist, who planted fruit trees ...Read More Masterson, Bat Bat Masterson (1855–1921) In American history and folklore, William Barclay Masterson was a sheriff noted for his fine suits, pearl-gray ...Read More Mike Fink Mike Fink (1770–1823) In American folklore, a legendary keelboat man, the strongest ever. Mike Fink spent most of his time ...Read More Molly Pitcher Molly Pitcher (1754–1832) In American history and folklore of the Revolution, the popular name of Mary L. Hays McCauley, who ...Read More Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow In American history and folklore, the cow of Mrs. Patrick (Kate) O’Leary; it supposedly started the Great ...Read More Old John Old John In American folklore, a tramp printer who could make type fall into place instantaneously with one sweep of ...Read More Paul Bunyan Paul Bunyan In American folklore, giant lumberjack of the Great Lakes and the Pacific Northwest. Various places claim Paul Bunyan ...Read More Pecos Bill Pecos Bill In American folklore, a tough Western hero who was the subject of many adventures. Edward O’Reilly created the ...Read More Pleasant, Mary Ellen The origins of Mary Ellen Pleasant (circa 1814– 4 January 1904) are mysterious and contradictory. She may have been born ...Read More Rip Van Winkle Rip Van Winkle: In American literary folklore, creation of Washington Irving in The Sketch Book. Rip, who lives with a ...Read More Rosie the Riveter Rosie the Riveter In American folklore of World War II, name given to a fictional woman who symbolized women’s contributions ...Read More Ruidoso Ruidoso In American western folklore, a big maverick steer that brought destruction on all who came in contact with it ...Read More Sam Hart of Woburn Sam Hart of Woburn : In American folklore of New England, a horseman who once entered into a race with ...Read More Stacker Lee Stacker Lee (also Stagolee, Stackerlee, Stackalee) is in American folklore, a black man who entered into a Devil ’s pact ...Read More Tom Quick Tom Quick is in American folklore, the “Indian Slayer” or “The Avenger of the Delaware.” According to one legend, Tom ...Read More Tommyknockers Tommyknockers are Cornish miners immigrated to the United States in the nineteenth century, initially working en masse in Pennsylvania’s coal ...Read More Tony Beaver Tony Beaver is in American folklore, a comic hero of the West Virginia lumberjacks whose antics often take place in ...Read More Two-Toe Tom Two-Toe Tom In American folklore, a 14foot alligator, in Alabama marsh country near Montgomery, who ate people and animals. When ...Read More Uncle Sam Uncle Sam In American folklore, personification of the United States, portrayed as a tall, lean Yankee with long white hair, ...Read More