George Boone was a weaver by trade and a Quaker by religion.
In England in his time the Quakers were oppressed, and George Boone therefore sought information of William Penn, his co-religionist, regarding the colony which Penn had established in America.

In 1712 he sent his three elder children, George, Sarah, and Squire, to spy out the land.

Sarah and Squire remained in Pennsylvania, while their brother returned to England with glowing reports.

On August 17, 1717, George Boone, his wife, and the rest of his children journeyed to Bristol and sailed for Philadelphia, arriving there on the 10th of October.

The Boones went first to Abingdon, the Quaker farmers' community.