USA > Virginia > A history of the valley of Virginia, 3rd ed > Part 4
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As for Mr. Bacon fame did not lay to his charge the having run out his patrimony in England except what he brought to Virginia, and for that the most part to be exhausted, which together made him suspecting of casting an eye to search for retrievement in the troubled waters of popular discontents, wanting patience to wait the death of his opulent cousin, old Collo: Bacon, whose estate he ex- pected to inherit.
But he was too young, too much a stranger there, and of a dis- position too pricipitate, to manage things to that length those were carried, had not thoughtfull Mr. Laurence been at the bottom.
HISTORY
... OF ...
THE VALLEY.
CHAPTER I.
INDIAN WARS.
From the best evidence the author has been able to obtain, and to this end he has devoted much time and research, the settlement of our fine and beautiful valley commenced in the year 1732, about one hundred and twenty-five years from the first settlement of Vir- ginia. Before going into a detail of the first immigration and improvement of the Valley, the author believes it will not be unin- teresting to the general reader, to have a brief history of the long and bloody wars carried on between contending tribes of Indians. Tradition relates that the Delaware and Catawba tribes were engaged in war at the time the Valley was first known by the white people, and that that war was continued for many years after our section of country became pretty numerously inhabited by the white settlers.
I shall commence with a narrative of Indian battles fought on the Cohongoruton .* At the mouth of the Antietam, a small creek on the Maryland side of the river, a most bloody affair took place between parties of the Catawba and Delaware tribes. This was probably about the year 1736. The Delawares had penetrated pretty
* Cohongoruton is the ancient Indian name of the Potomac from its junction with the Shenandoah to the Alleghany mountain. Lord Fairfax, in his grants for land on this water course, designated it Potomac ; by which means it gradually lost its ancient name, and now is generally known by no other name. Maj. H. Bedinger writes the name of this river Cohongoluta. It is, however, written in the act laying off the county of Frederick in 1738, Cohongoruton.
32
INDIAN WARS.
far to the south, committed some acts of outrage on the Catawbas, and on their retreat were overtaken at the mouth of this creek, when a desperate conflict ensued. Every man of the Delaware party were put to death, with the exception of one who escaped after the battle was over, and every Catawba held up a scalp but one. This was a disgrace not to be borne ; and he instantly gave chase to the fugitive, overtook him at the Susquehanna river, (a distance little short of one hundred miles), killed and scalped him, and returning showed his scalp to several white people, and exulted in what he had done .*
Another nost bloody battle was fought at the mouth of Cono- cocheague, ; on Friend's land, in which but one Delaware escaped death, and he ran in to Friend's house, when the family shut the door, and kept the Catawbas out, by which means the poor fugitive was saved.į
There is also a tradition, and there are evident signs of the fact, of another furious battle fought at what is called the Slim Bottom on Wappatomaka,§ (the ancient Indian name of the Great South Branch of the Potomac), about one and half miles from its mouth. At this place there are several large Indian graves, near what is called the Painted Rock. On this rock is exhibited the shape of a man with a large blotch, intended, probably, to represent a man bleeding to death. The stain, it appeared to the author, was made with human blocd. The top of the rock projects over the painted part so as to protect it from the washings of the rains, and is on the east side of the rock. How long the stain of human blood would remain visible in a position like this, the author cannot pretend to express an opinion ; but he well recollects the late Gen. Isaac Zane informed me that the Indians beat out the brains of an infant (near his old iron works) against a rock, and the stain of the blood was plainly to be seen about forty years afterwards. In this battle it is said but one Delaware escaped, and he did so by leaping into the river, diving under water, continuing to swim until he crossed the Cohongoruton.||
A great battle between these hostile tribes, it is said, was fought at what is called the Hanging Rocks, on the Wappatomaka, in the
* This tradition was related to the author by Capt. James Glenn, of Jef- ferson county, now upwards of 73 years of age, and confirmed by the venera- ble John Tomlinson, near Cumberland, Maryland, now 92 years old.
+ Mr. Tomlinson is of opinion this affair took place at the mouth of the Opequon.
# Capt. James Glenn, confirmed by Mr. Tomlinson, except as to the place of battle.
§ The name of this water course in Lord Fairfax's ancient grants is written Wappatomac ; but Mr. Heath and Mr. Blue both stated that the proper name was Wappatomaka.
! Capt. James Glenn, confirmed by Mr. Garrett Blue, of Hampshire. In- deed, this tradition is familiar to most of the elderly citizens on the South Branch, as also the battle of the Hanging Rocks.
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INDIAN WARS.
county of Hampshire, where the river passes through the moun- tain .* A pretty large party of the Delawares had invaded the ter- ritory of the Catawbas, taken several prisoners, and commenced their retreat homewards. When they reached this place, they made a halt, and a number of them commenced fishing. Their Catawba enemies, close in pursuit, discovered them, and threw a party of men across the river, with another in their front. Thus enclosed, with the rock on one side, a party on the opposite side of the river, another in their front, and another in their rear, a most furious and bloody onset was made, and it is believed that several hundred of the Delawares were slaughtered. Indeed, the signs now to be seen at this place exhibit striking evidences of the fact. There is a row of Indian graves between the rock and public road, along the margin of the river, from sixty to seventy yards in length. It is believed that but very few of the Delawares escaped.
There are also signs of a bloody battle having been fought at the forks of the Wappatomaka ; but of this battle, if it ever occurred, the author could obtain no traditional account.
Tradition also relates that the Southern Indians exterminated a tribe, called the Senedos, on the North fork of the Shenandoah river, at present the residence of William Steenbergen, Esq., in the county of Shenandoah. About the year 1734, Benjamin Allen, Riley Moore, and William White, settled in this neighborhood. Benjamin Allen settled on the beautiful estate called Allen's bottom. An aged In- dian frequently visited him, and on one occasion informed him that the "Southern Indians killed his whole nation with the exception of himself and one other youth ; that this bloody slaughter took place when he, the Indian, was a small boy."+ From this tradition, it is probable this horrid affair took place some time shortly after the middle of the seventeenth century. Maj. Andrew Keyser also in- formed the author that an Indian once called at his father's, in Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, appeared to be much aggitated, and asked for something to eat. After refreshing himself, he was asked what disturbed him. He replied, "The Southern Indians have killed my whole nation."
There are also evident signs of the truth of this tradition yet to be seen. On Mr. Steenbergen's land are the remains of an Indian mound, though it is now plowed down. The ancient settlers in the neighborhood differ in their opinion as to its original height. When they first saw it, some say it was eighteen or twenty feet high, others that it did not exceed twelve or fourteen, and that it was from fifty to sixty yards in circumference at the base. This mound was liter- ally filled with human skeletons ; and it is highly probable that this
* As the author expects to give a detailed description of this extraordi- nary place, in his chapter of natural curiosities, he will barely mention the fact, that this rock, on one side of the river, is a perpendicular wall of several hundred feet high, and several hundred yards in length.
+ Mr. Israel Allen related this tradition to the author.
5
34
INDIAN WARS.
was the depository of the dead after the great massacre which took place as just related.
This brief account of Indian battles contains all the traditionary information the author has been able to collect, with one exception, which will be noticed in the next chapter. There is, however, a tradition, that on one particular occasion, a party of thirty Delaware Indians, having penetrated far to the South, surprised a party of Catawbas, killed several, and took a prisoner. The party of Dela- wares, on their return, called at Mr. Joseph Perrill's, near Winchester, and exulted much at their success. The next a day party of ten Ca- tawbas called at Mr. Perrill's in pursuit. They enquired when their enemy had passed. Being informed, they pushed off at a brisk step, overtook the thirty Delawares at the Cohongoruton, (Potomac), killed every man, recovered their prisoner, called at Mr. Perrill's on their return, and told what they had done .* But it is probable this is the same affair which took place at the mouth of the Antietam, though it is possible that it may be a different one. Mr. Tomlison is under the impression that there was an Indian battle fought at the mouth of the Opequon.
The author has seen and conversed with several aged and re- spectable individuals, who well recollect seeing numerous war parties of the Northern and Southern Indians, passing and repassing through the Valley. Several warrior paths have been pointed out to him. One of them led from the Cohongoruton, (Potomac), and passed a little west of Winchester southwardly. This path forked a few miles north of Winchester, and one branch of it diverged inore to the east, crossed the Opequon, very near Mr. Carter's paper mill, on the creek, and led on toward the forks of the Shenandoah River. Another crossed the North mountain and the Valley a few miles above the Narrow Passage, thence over the Fort mountain to the South River Valley. Another crossed the Cumberland, in Maryland, and proceeded up the Wappatomaka or Great South Branch Valley, ill the counties of Hampshire and Hardy.
And aged and respectable old lady on Apple-pie Ridge, informed the author that she had frequently heard lier mother speak of a party of Delaware Indians once stopping at her father's, where they stayed all night. They had in custody a young female Catawba prisoner, who was one of the most beautiful females she had ever seen. Maj. R. D. Glass also informed the author that his father, who resided at the head of the Opequon, stated the same fact. It was remarkable to see with what resignation this unfortunate young prisoner sub- mitted to her fate. Her unfeeling tormentors would tie her, and compel her at night to lay on her back, with the cords distended from her hands and feet, and tied to branches or what else they could get at to make her secure, while a man lay on each side of her with the cords passing under their bodies.
* Gen. John Smith communicated this tradition to the author.
35
INDIAN WARS.
Mr. John Tomlinson also informed the author, that when about seven or eight years of age, he saw a party of Delawares pass his father's house, with a female Catawba prisoner, who had an infant child in her arms ; and that it was said they intended to sacrifice her when they reached their towns .*
Tomlison also relates a very remarkable instance of the sacrifice of a female Catawba prisoner by the Delawares. A party of Dela- wares crossed the Potomac, near Oldtown, in Maryland, a short distance from which they cruelly murdered their prisoner ; they then imoved on. The next day several of them returned, and cut off the soles of her feet, in order to prevent her from pursuing and haunt- ing them in their march. t-
Capt. Glenn informed the author that a Mrs. Mary Friend, who resided on or near the Potomac, stated to him that she once saw a body of four or five hundred Catabawa Indians on their march to invade the Delawares; but from some cause they became alarmed, and returned without success.
The same gentleman stated to the author that a Mr. James Hen- dricks informed him that the last sacrifice made by the Delawares, of their Catawba prisoners, was at the first run or stream of water on the south side of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Here several prisoners were tortured to death with all the wonton barbarity and cruelty peculiar to the savage character. Mr. Hendricks was an eye wit- ness to this scene of horror. During the protracted and cruel suffer- ings of these unhappy victims, they tantalized and used the most insulting language to their tormentors, threatening them with the terrible vengeance of their nation as long as they could speak.
This bloody tragedy soon reached the ears of the Governor of Pennsylvania, and he forth with issued his proclamation, command- ing and requiring all the authorities, both civil and military, to interpose, and prohibit a repetition of such acts of barbarity and cruelty.
The author will now conclude this narrative of Indian wars, with a few general reflections.
It is the opinion of some philosophers, that it is inherent in the nature of man to fight. The correctness of this opinion Mr. Jeffer- son seems to doubt, and suggests that "it grows out of the abuse and not the natural state of man." But it really appears there are strong reasons to believe that there does exist "a natural state of hostility of man against man. Upon what other principle can we account for the long and furious wars which have been carried on, at different periods, among the aboriginals of our country ?
1200024
* Mr. Tomlinson's father then resided about seven miles below the mouth of Conococheague ou or near the Potomac, on the Maryland side.
+ Mr. G. Blue. of Hampshire, stated this tradition to the author.
36
INDIANS WARS.
At an immense distance apart,* probably little less than six or seven hundred miles, without trade, commerce, or clashing of inter- ests-without those causes of irritation common among civilized states-we find these two nations for a long series of years engaged in the most implacable and destructive wars. Upon what other principle to account for this state of things, than that laid down, is a subject for which the author cannot pretend to explain. It, how- ever, affords matter of curious speculation and interesting reflection to the inquiring mind. That nations are frequently urged to war and devestation by the restless and turbulent disposition so cominon to mankind, particularly among their leaders, is a question of little doubt. The glory and renown (falsely so termined) of great achieve- ments in war, is probably one principal cause of the wars frequently carried on by people in a state of nature.
* The Catawba tribes reside on the river of that name in South Carolina. They were a powerful and warlike nation, but are now reduced to less than two hundred souls. The Delawares resided at that period on the Susque- hanna River, in Pennsylvania, and are now far west of the Alleghany mountains.
37
INDIAN SETTLEMENTS.
CHAPTER II.
INDIAN SETTLEMENTS.
'The author deems it unnecessary to give a detailed account of all the particular places which exhibit signs of the ancient residences of Indians, but considers it sufficient to say that on all our water courses, evidences of their dwellings are yet to be seen. The two great branches of the Shenandoah, and the south branch of the Potomac, appear to have been their favorite places of residence. There are more numerous signs of their villages to be seen on these water courses, than in any other part of our Valley.
On the banks of the Cohongoruton, (Potomac), there has doubtless been a pretty considerable settlement. The late Col. Joseph Swearengen's dwelling house stands within a circular wall or moat .* When first known by the white inhabitants, the wall was about eighteen inches high, and the ditch about two feet deep. This circular wall was made of earth-is now considerably reduced, but yet plainly to be seen. It is not more than half a mile from Shepherdstown.
For what particular purpose this wall was thrown up, whether for ornament or defense, the author cannot pretend to form an opin- ion. If it was intended for defense, it appears to have been too low to answer any valuable purpose in that way.
On the Wappatomaka, a few miles below the forks, tradition relates that there was a very considerable Indian settlement. On the farm of Isaac Vanmeter, Esq., on this water course, in the coun- ty of Hardy, when the county was first discovered, there was con- siderable openings of the land, or natural prairies, which are called "the Indian old fields" to this day. Numerous Indian graves are to be seen in the neighborhood. A little above the forks of the river a very large Indian grave is now to be seen ; In the bank of the river, a little below the forks, numerous human skeletons have been discovered, and several articles of curious workmanship. A highly finished pipe, representing a snake coiled round the bowl, with its head projected above the bowl, was among them. There was the under jaw bone of a human being of great size found at the same place, which contained eight jaw teeth, in each side, of enormous size;
* Maj. Henry Bedinger informed the author that at his first recollection of this place, the wall or moat was about eighteen inches high, and the ditch around it about two feet deep. The wall was raised on the outside of the ditch, and carefully thrown up.
+ William Seymour, Esq., related this fact to the author.
38
INDIAN SETTLEMENTS.
and what is more remarkable, the teeth stands transversely in the jaw bone. It would pass over any common man's face with entire ease .*
There are many other signs of Indian settlements all along this river, both above and below the one just described. Mr. Garrett Blue, of the county of Hampshire, informed the author, that about two miles below the Hanging Rocks, in the banks of the river, a stratum of ashes, about one rod in length, was some years ago dis- covered. At this place are signs of an Indian village, and their old fields. The Rev. John J. Jacobs, of Hampshire, informed the author that Mr. Daniel Cresap's land on the north branch of the Potomac, a few miles above Cumberland, a human skeleton was discovered, which had been covered with a coat of wood ashes, about two feet below the surface of the ground. An entire decomposition of the skeleton had taken place, with the exeption of the teethį; they were in a perfect state of preservation.
On the two great branches of the Shenandoah there are now to be seen numerous sites of their ancient villages, several of which are so remarkable that they deserve a passing notice. It has been no- ticed, in my preceding chapter, that on Mr. Steenbergen's land, on the north fork of the Shenandoah, the remains of a large Indian mound are plainly to be seen. It is also suggested that this was once the residence of the Senedo tribe, and that that tribe had been exter- ininated by the Southern Indians. Exclusive of this large mound, t there are several other Indian graves. About this place many of their implements and domestic utensils have been found. A short distance below the mouth of Stony Creek, (a branch of the Shen- andoalı), within four or five miles of Woodstock, are the signs of an Indian village. At this place a gun barrel, with several iron toma- hawks, were found long after the Indians left the county. }
On Mr. Anthony Kline's farm, within about three miles of Stephensburg, in the county of Frederick, in a glen near his mill, a rifle was sound, which had laid in the ground forty or fifty years. Every part of this gun, (even the stock, which was made of black walnut), was sound. Mr. Kline's father took the barrel from the stock, placed the britch on the fire, and it soon discharged with a loud explosion. S
* William Heath, Esq., in the county of Hardy stated this fact to the author, and that he had repeatedly seen the remarkable jaw bone.
+ Mr. Steenberger informed the author, that upon looking into this mound, it was discovered that at the head of each skeleton a stone was de- posited ; that these stones are of various sizes, supposed to indicate the size of the body buried.
# Mr. George Grandstaff stated this to the author. Mr. G. is an aged and respected citizen of Shenandoah county.
§ Mr. Anthony Kline related this occurrence to the author. No man who is acquainted with Mr. Kline, will for one moment doubt his assertions. This rifle was of a very large calibre, and was covered several feet below the surface of the ground, and doubtless left there by an Indian.
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INDIAN SETTLEMENTS.
In the county of Page, on the south fork of the Shenandoah River, there are several Indian burying grounds and signs of their villages. These signs are also to be seen on the Hawksbill Creek. A few miles above Luray, on the west side of the river, there are three large Indian graves, ranged nearly side by side, thirty or forty- feet in length, twelve or fourteen feet wide, and five or six feet high. Around them, in circular forin, are a number of single graves. The whole cover an area of a little less than a quarter of an acre. They present to the eye a very ancient appearance, and are covered with pine and other forest growth. The excavation of the ground around them is plainly to be seen. The three first mentioned graves are in oblong form, probably containing many hundreds of human bodies, and were doubtless the work of ages .*
On the land of Mr. Noah Keyser, near the mouth of the Hawks- bill Creek, stand the remains of a large mound. This, like that of Mr. Steenbergen's, is considerably reduced by plowing, but is yet some twelve or fourteen feet high, and is upwards of sixty yards round at the base. It is found to be literally filled with human skeletons, and at every fresh plowing a fresh layer of bones are brouglit to the surface. The bones are found to be in a calcarious state, with the exception of the teeth, which are generally sound. Several unusually large skeletons have been discovered in this grave. On the lands now the residence of my venerable friend, John Gate- wood, Esq., the signs of an Indian village are yet plainly to be seen. There are numerous fragments of their pots, cups, arrow points, and other implements for domestic use, found from time to time. Convenient to this village there are several pretty large graves.
There is also evidence of an Indian town in Powell's Fort, on the lands now owned by Mr. Daniel Munch. From appearance, this too was a pretty considerable village. A little above the forks of the Shenandoah, on the east side of the South Fork, are the appear- ances of another settlement, exhibiting the remains of two considera- ble mounds now entirely reduced by plowing. About this place many pipes, tomahawks, axes, hommony pestles, &c. have been found. Some four or five miles below the forks of the river, on the south-east side, on the land now owned by Capt. Daniel Oliver, is the site of another Indian village. At this place a considerable variety of articles have been plowed up. Among the number were several whole pots, cups, pipes, axes, tomahawks, hommony pestles, &c. A beautiful pipe, of high finish, made of white flint stone, and several other articles of curious workmanship, all of very hard stone, have been found. Their cups and pots were made of a mixture of clay and shells, of rude workmanship, but of firm texture.
There are many other places on all our water courses, to-wit : Stony Creek, Cedar Creek, and Opequon, as well as the larger water courses, which exhibit evidence of ancient Indian settlements. The
* These graves are on the lands, now the residence of the widow Long, and appear never to have been disturbed.
40
INDIAN SETTLEMENTS.
Shawnee tribe, it is well known, were settled about the neighbor- hood of Winchester. What are called the "Shawnee cabins," and "Shawnee Springs," immediately adjoining the town, are well known. It is also equally certain, that this tribe had a considerable village on Babb's Marsh, some three or four miles north-west of Winchester .*
The Tuscarora Indians resided in the neighborhood of Mar- tinsburg, in the county of Berkeley, f on the Tuscarora Creek. On the fine farm, now owned by and the residence of Matthew Ransom, Esq., (the former residence of Mr. Benjamin Beeson), are the re- mains of several Indian graves. These, like several others, are now plowed down ; but numerous fragments of human bones are to be found inixed with the clay on the surface. Mr. Ranson informed the author, that at this place the under jaw bone of a human being was plowed up, of enormous size ; the teeth were found in a perfect state of preservation.
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