Andrew Lewis' Sandy Creek Expedition Timeline Overview
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Compiled and written by Jim Moyer 2015, updated 1/2/2017, 1/19/2019
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February Sandy Creek Expedition
February 19 Sandy Creek Expedition Fort Frederick
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TIME LINE
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The Sandy Creek Expedition begins February 1756. See time line events below .
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See bio on Andrew Lewis, leader of the expedition
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December 14, 1755
Dinwiddie assigns 2 Missions
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Sandy Creek Expedition
in February
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Lt Gov Dinwiddie suggests, on December 14, 1755, in a letter to George Washington:
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” I design they shall be joind with three Companies of Rangers & Capt. Hoggs Company, & I propose Colo. Stephens or Majr Lewis to be the Commander of the Party on this Expedition: “
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Colonel George Washington picks Major Andrew Lewis for this job.
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Cherokee Mission
in February
Founders Online footnote 9. Dinwiddie’s commission to Col. William Byrd III and Col. Peter Randolph, members of the provincial council, to go as “Commissioners to the Catawba and Cherokee Natns of Indians” with “full Power & Authority to conclude & settle a firm Treaty of Peace and Friendship” was dated 23 Dec. 1755 (ViHi: Dinwiddie Papers); but they did not leave for nearly 2 months and did not return until about 10 May 1756.
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December 27, 1755
Major Andrew Lewis Assigned
to lead the Sandy Creek Expedition
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Andrew Lewis is appointed to assemble the Sandy Creek Expedition:
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The Virginia Regiment re-enactment group helped celebrate Fairfax County’s 275th Anniversary June 17, 2017. CLICK OR TOUCH TO ENLARGE
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To Major Andrew Lewis, of the Virginia Regiment.
[Winchester, 27 December 1755]
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In pursuance of Commands from the Governor to me,
you are hereby ordered to proceed to Augusta,
and there to take upon you
the command of Captain Hogg’s Company;
three Companies of Rangers,
and such Cherokee Indians as you shall find there;
and march them to such place or places,
and obey such order or orders,
as the Governor shall direct.1
Given under my Hand &c.
at Winchester, December 27th 1755.
G:W.
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Founders Online Footnote:
1. Andrew Lewis arrived at Fort Frederick [not the one in Maryland] on the New River in February to take command of the Sandy Creek expedition. See Dinwiddie to GW, 14 Dec. 1755, n.8, for a description of the expedition.
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Source:
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December 27, 1755
Capt Hog to join Major Andrew Lewis
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See detailed instructions to Captain Hog.
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January 13, 1756
Col George Washington Not Confident
of this Sandy Creek Expedition
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Colonel George Washington is not confident of success for this mission:
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Majr Lewis being at Winchester when your Letter came to hand was immediately dispatchd to Augusta to take upon him the command of the Troops destin’d against the Shawnesse Town with orders to follow such directions as he shoud receive from you.1 this scheme thô I am apprehensive will prove abortive as we are told that those Indians are removd up the River—into the Neighbourhood of Du-quisne.
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GW mentions method of indian fighting and the fort building:
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I have given all necessary orders for traing the Men to a proper use of their Arms—and the method of Indn Fighting and hope in a little time to make them expert. and I shoud be glad to have your honours express Commands either to prepare for taking the Field—or guarding our Frontiers in the spring—because the steps for these two are very different—I have already built two Forts on Patterson’s Creek (which has engag’d the chief of the Inhabitants to return to their Plantns) and have now order’d Captn Waggoner with 60 Men to build and Garrison two other’s (on places I have pointed out high up) on the South branch
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February 1756
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Major Andrew Lewis leads the Sandy Creek Expedition.
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Click on this Map Link.
Press – Minus sign to zoom away.
Follow and click on all the lavender stars and lavender lines
showing the path of this ill-fated Sandy Creek Expedition.
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February 4, 1756
Orders issued by Major Andrew Lewis to Captain William Preston
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February 9, 1756
March of 15 miles starts from Fort Prince George
Arrives at Francis Cyphers in Roanoke.
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February 10, 1756
March of 15 miles starts from Francis Cyphers in Roanoke
Arrives at Richard Hall’s.
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We will let Captain William Preston tell the story as written down by him at the time.
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“Monday, ye 9th day of February, 1756, “In pursuance to ye orders of Major Lewis, dated the 4th inst., I marched from Fort Prince George, with my 2 Lieutenants, 2 Sergeants, 3 Corporals, and 25 Privates. We had one wagon load of dry beef, the wt. 2000 lbs. We traveled 15 miles the first day and lodged at the home of Francis Cyphers, on Roanoke, and early on Tuesday morning, being the 10th, we proceeded on our journey as far as Richd. Hall’s, about 15 miles. . .”
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Source:
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Kerns wonders if Fort Lewis was same as Fort Prince George.
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Captain Preston and his men left Fort Prince George to join Major Andrew Lewis for the Sandy Creek Expedition.
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That Sandy Creek Expedition with all the forces assembled, started at Fort Frederick at Dunkards Bottom, current Claytor Lake, south of Radford VA –
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Source on Fort George:
The Virginia Frontier, 1754-1763
By Louis Knott Koontz
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February 11, 2020
Marched to New River passing by a Cherokee Camp..
South of Ingles Ferry area and the New River.
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Preston’s Journal of this Sandy Expedition:
“Wednesday, the 11th (February) , marched to New River; informed that Capt. Hog’s company was but a little behind us. As we marched by the Cherokee Camp we saluted them by firing off guns, which they returned in seeming great joy, and afterwards honored us with a war dance.
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Source –
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Excellent Re-enactor Group
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From Capt William Preston’s journal of the Sandy Creek Expedition –
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Tazewell County is the modern county that was once of Orange Co 1735 and then of Augusta Co 1738 as were many counties. See changing historical country maps. Tazewell County to have open discussion about exiting Virginia an joining WV Tuesday, February 4th 2020.
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“”Sunday 15, (FEB 1756)
James Burk (of Burke’s Garden) brot word that Robert Looney was killed nigh Alex Sawyers, and he had himself one horse shot and five taken away by the Shawnee Indians.
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“Monday 16, (FEB 1756)
40 Indians and 60 white men under command of Capt. Smith and Woodston marched from fort in order to range the woods about Reed Creek; they are to march to Burke’s Garden.
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Burkes Garden
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“Tuesday 17 (FEB 1756),
Mr. Paul returned from the horse guard (This guard had been left to protect the crossing of New River.)
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“Wednesday 18, (FEB 1756)
Capt. Hog’s company and Major Lewis march in afternoon.
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Tazewell County. Back in 1756 it was part of August Country 1738 created out of Orange Co 1735.
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“Thursday 19,(FEB 1756)
Left Fort Frederick (AT Dunkard’s Bottom – now Claytor Laker south of Radford VA) at 10 o’clock: 27 loaded pack horses, got to William Sawyer’s: Camped on his barn floor.
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Sandy Creek Expedition John McFarland’s description.
“Friday 20,
Switched one of the soldiers for swearing, which very much incensed the Indian chiefs then present. Advanced to Alex Sawyers, met the Indians who went out with the first division, and Lieutenant Ingles who informed us of the burial of Robt. Looney. Some of our Indians deserted…
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“Sat. 21,
Major Lewis, Capt. Pearis and the interpreter went to Col. Buchanan’s place, where they met the Indians who had deserted us, and induced them to return, which they did…
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“Sunday 22,
Marched to John McFarland’s.
See location on map.
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“Monday 23,
Marched over the mountain to Bear Garden , on North Fork of Holston’s river. Lost sundry horses .
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Burkes Garden
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Finally the majority of the expeditionary force arrives at Burke’s Garden
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“Tuesday 24,
Crossed two mountains and arrived at Burke’s Garden. Had plenty of potatoes which the soldiers gathered in the deserted plantations .
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“Wednesday 25,
Remained in Camp.”Burke’s Garden is a tract of land of 5000 or 6000 acres, as rich and fertile as any I ever saw, as well watered with many beautiful streams, and is surrounded with mountains almost impassible.
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“Thursday 26
Marched early, crossed three large mountains, arrived at head of Clinch. Our hunters found no game.
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Source:
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Sandy Creek Expedition Begins
All the troops are gathered at this point.
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Brief overview –
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Excellent trace map of the expedition.
Shows the route in West Virginia area only:
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Captain William Preston tells the story as written down by him at the time. .
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the following seems to be a partial reprint of Preston’s journal
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eenactors retracing trek
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18 February -13 March 1756.
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After her return from captivity, in November of 1755, Mary Ingles provided her husband, CPT William Ingles, with intelligence about Shawnee villages along the Ohio.
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In December of 1755, CPT Ingles approached GOV Dinwiddie about conducting a raid against two of these villages near present day Portsmouth, OH.
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MAJ Andrew Lewis was designated to lead the expedition of approximately 200-300 men from the Virginia Regiment and Militia Rangers along with approximately 80-130 Cherokees.
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Captain Hogg was ordered to provide and lead forty men from his Company.
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A draft of sixty men from Captain William Preston’s and Captain John Smith’s Company, to be commanded by Captain Smith was ordered to participate.
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Captain Overton and Captain Obadiah Woodson were to provide forty men each and serve as Company Commanders.
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Captain Pearis commanded the Cherokees.
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Captain Robert Breckinridge, was ordered to take his companies as well.
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Captain’s Archibald Alexander, John Montgomery and Dunlap commanded volunteer companies of indeterminate size.
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Captain David Stuart served as commissary.
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Captain William Ingles, the instigator if not, perhaps, the planner of the mission, joined the expedition as well.
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The main body of the expedition departed Fort Frederick (vicinity Salem, VA) on 18 February 1756.
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The expedition with the exception of CPT Hogg’s men who were behind the main body, reached the north Fork of the Holston River by 23 February.
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By 26 February the expedition was at the head of the Clinch River and at the head of Sandy Creek by the 28th which they followed towards the Ohio River until desertion and insubordination caused the expedition to turn around on 13 March.
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John McFarland
(1): born 1706-1708 in Ireland. Married ca. 1728 in Lancaster Co. Penn. to Mary Montgomery (by tradition, no record known). Mary was born in 1712, daughter of John Montgomery (tradition).They moved to Virginia around 1747 to Augusta County to land on Reed Creek which is now near present-day Wytheville. Grandson’s historical sign in Tennessee mentions this John McFarland patriarch
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Source:
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The Aftermath:
HOUSE OF BURGESSES
PRAISE, PENALTY, COMPENSATION
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FAILURE BLAMED ON OTHERS
April 15, 1756
Resolved,
That Major Andrew Lewis, who commanded the Expedition, hath dis-charged his Duty with Integrity and Resolution, and that the ill Success thereof wasentirely owing to the refractory and mutinous Behaviour of Captain Obediah Woods on,John Smith, and John Montgomery, who commanded the Volunteers, and of the saidVolunteers.
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Ordered,
That an Address be made to the Governor, to desire that his Honor wouldbe pleased to stop the Pay of the said Woodscm, Smith, and Montgomery, and that theOfficers may never more be employed as Officers in His Majesty’s Service.
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Journal of the House of Burgesses of its session starting March 25, 1756
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COMPENSATION REQUESTED
April 20, 1756
A Petition of Samuel Overton and James Gun, setting forth, That they were sentout upon the late intended Expedition against the Shawanesse, and that before theirReturn they each of them lost their Guns and several other Things of considerable Value,and praying the Consideration of this House, was presented to the House and read.
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Journal of the House of Burgesses of its session starting March 25, 1756
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PENALTY ON THE REBELLING OFFICERS
April 21, 1756
Ordered, That the said Bill be ingrossed, and read a third Time.Mr Randolph reported, That he had according to Order waited on his Honor theGovernor, with the Resolution of the House of the 15th Instant, in Relation to the Officersand Men concerned in the Expedition against the Shawnese; and that the Governor waspleased to say, he would stop the Pay of the Officers and Men mentioned in the said Reso-lution according to the Address of this House.
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Journal of the House of Burgesses of its session starting March 25, 1756
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PETITION BY RICHARD PEARIS
April 21, 1756
A Petition of Richard Paris, setting forth,
That he was ordered by the Governor,last September, to go to the Cherokee Nation, in Order to bring a Number of them to theAssistance of this Colony:
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That he was there much impeded in his Solicitations by theNorth Carolina Traders, who endeavoured to persuade the Indians, that he only wantedthem to hunt, ’til they got Deer-Skins enough to pay him a Debt they owed him of 2586lbs. Deer-Leather;
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upon which, to remove all Doubt, the Petitioner told them, he wouldforgive them the Debt, and burn his Books, which he accordingly did;
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and thereupon 82 of their Warriors marched with him, and joined Major Lewis in the Expeditionagainst the Shawnese, and praying the Consideration of this House, was presented to theHouse, and read.
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Journal of the House of Burgesses of its session starting March 25, 1756
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COMPENSATION FOR LOSSES
It appears to us,
from the Information of Major Lewis, that there were not Armsenough provided by the Public for the People that went on the Expedition; ThatMr Overton carried two Guns, that he borrowed, one of which, of the Value of fivePistoles, was lost by a Canoe’s oversetting in crossing a River, and the other, of theValue of two Pistoles and an Half, was, by the Direction of Major Lewis, given to anIndian Warrior. And it further appeared to us, that Mr Overton left his Horse, Saddleand Bridle, with a sick Man, who hath not been heard of since, and the Horse was thentired.
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from the same Information, that Mr Gunn carried with hima valuable Gun, which was loft in the same Manner, and that his Horse tired, and was leftbehind.
.Resolved,
That the said Samuel Overton ought to be allowed the Sum of S£. is. 3d. forhis two Guns, and the Sum of £.13 for his Horse, Saddle and Bridle.Resolved, That the said James Gunn ought to be allowed the Sum of $£. is. 6d. for hisGun, and the Sum of £.8 for his Horse.
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that the said John Allen, by the Governor’s Direction, accompaniedCapt. Paris to the Cherokee Nation;
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That he bought a Horse here, and brought him toFort Frederick, where he left him, when he went on the Expedition against the Shawnese,and could not find him on his Return;
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That at the Time the Canoe overset, in which hewas with Capt. Overton, be left a Pair of Pistols.
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Resolved,
That the said John Allen ought not to be paid for the said Horse..
Resolved,
That he ought to be paid forty Shillings for the said Pistols.
.Ordered,
That it be an Instruction to the Committee appointed by the Act of Assem-bly for raising £.40,000, to make an Allowance to the said Samuel Overton, James Gunnand John Allen pursuant to the first, second and fourth Resolutions.
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Journal of the House of Burgesses of its session starting March 25, 1756
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100 LBS FOR RICHARD PEARIS
Friday April 23, 1756
Mr Cary reported, that the Persons to whom the Petition of Richard Paris wasreferred, had examined into the same, and agreed upon a Report, and come to a Resolutionthereupon, which he read in his Place, and then delivered in at the Table, where it wasagain twice read, and agreed to by the House, as follows:
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It appears to us,
that the said Paris was sent by the Governor to the Cherokee Nation,to endeavour to bring some of their Warriors to our Assistance; that he had been a Traderthere four or five Years, and had due to him, from the Indians, a large quantity ofDeer-Leather; that the Carolina Traders spirited up the Indians against him, and pur-suaded them to kill him; suggesting he only wanted to secure his own Debts, andu ponthis he freely forgave them all they owed, to convince them that he was sent by thisGovernment; and in Consequence thereof, eighty odd of them immediately came withhim to Fort Frederick, and joined in the Expedition intended against the Shawnese..
Resolved,
That the said Richard Paris be allowed the Sum of £.100 towards reim-bursing his Loss..
Ordered,
That it be an Instruction to the Committee, appointed by Act of Assemblyfor raising £.40,000, that they make an Allowance to the said Richard Paris, pursuant tothe said Resolution.
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Page 381 . . .
Journal of the House of Burgesses of its session starting March 25, 1756
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DESERTERS
A Petition of Obediah Woods on, setting forth,
That he hath been inform’d, that at aCouncil of War, held by Major Andrew Lewis, and Part of the Officers under his Com-mand, he with some other Officers were declared Deserters; and that the ill Success ofthe Expedition intended against the Shawnese was entirely owing to the refractory andmutinous Behaviour of the Petitioner:
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That the said Charge against the Petitioner ishighly unjust, as he is able to prove by many creditable Witnesses, and praying thathis Conduct and Behaviour may be enquired into, and that he may have it in his Powerto manifest his Innocence, was presented to the House and read, and the Question beingput, that the said Petition be committed,
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Resolved,
That the said Petition be rejected.
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Journal of the House of Burgesses of its 1st session starting March 25, 1756
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COMPENSATION OF LOSSES
April 27, 1756
A Petition of Alexander Mackie, setting forth,
That he furnished Captain Woodson,by order of the Governor, with sundry Necessaries on the late Expedition, amountingto £>• 52 As. Jl f°r tne Use of the Service, and to Captain Smith and Paris, Sundries tothe Amount of £.37 os. 3d. for the same Service. That one John , assignedto the Petitioner his Account of Cartage of the said Goods, to Fort Frederick, amountingto £.14 igs. 2^ and praying the Consideration of this House, was presented to the Houseand read.
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Ordered,
That the said Petition be referred to Mr Randolph, Mr Bland, and MrCary, that they do examine into the Allegations thereof, and report the same, withtheir Opinion thereupon, to the House.
.A Petition of Thomas Moreton, setting forth,
That in the late intended Expeditionagainst the Shawnese, he lost a valuable Horse, Saddle and Bridle, and praying theConsideration of this House, was presented to the House and read, and the the Questionbeing put, that the said Petition be referred,
.It passed in the Negative.
.Besolved,
That the said Petition be rejected.
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AGENT TO REPRESENT VA TO GREAT BRITAIN
Side note there is a petition to hire an agent to represent Virginia in Great Britain
Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill, For appointing an Agent to solicit theAffairs of this Colony in Great-Britain, and it is referred to Mr Charles Carter, Mr Bland,and Mr Landon Carter to prepare and bring in the same.
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Journal of the House of Burgesses of its 1st session starting March 25, 1756
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COMPENSATION TO BE PAID
April 28, 1756
Mr Randolph reported, That the Committee, to whom the Petition of AlexanderMackie was referred, had had the same under their Consideration, and had come to a69 Resolution thereupon, which he read in his Place, and then delivered in at the Table,where it was again twice read, and agreed to by the House, as follows.
.Resolved,
That the said Alexander Mackie ought to be paid by the Public the Sumof £.io3 14/”. 2d. the Ballance due to him for Goods furnished on Account of the Expe-dition against the Shawnese, and for the Hire of two Waggons from John Thompson forthe Use of the said Expedition..
Ordered,
That it be an Instruction to the Committee, appointed by Act of Assemblyfor raising £.40,000, that they make an Allowance to the said Alexander Mackie, pursuantto the said Resolution.
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Journal of the House of Burgesses of its 1st session starting March 25, 1756
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PETITIONS FOR COMPENSATION
May 1, 1756
A Petition of Robert Donald, praying to be allowed for Goods by him found for theUse of the late Shawnese Expedition.
.Also a Petition of Thomas Donald to the same Purpose.
.Also a Petition of Robert Hastie, to the same Purpose, were severally presented tothe House and read.
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Journal of the House of Burgesses of its 1st session starting March 25, 1756
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COMPENSATION TO BE PAID
May 4, 1756
Resolved,
That it appears to the Committee that the said Robert Donald, by Orderof his Honor the Governor, did supply Capt. John Smith with sundry Goods, to the Valueof £.80 2/”. 6d. for the Use of the Men who marched under the said Capt. Smith’sCommand, on the Expedition against the Shawnese, and that the said Robert Donalddid pay to John Pearce, the Sum of £.g 7 s. 6d. for fifteen Days Hire of his Cart andOxen, to transport the said Goods towards Fort Frederick..
Resolved,
That the said Robert Donald ought to be paid for the same by the public,the Sum of £.89 10s..
Ordered,
That it be an Instruction to the Committee, appointed by Act of Assemblyfor raising £.40,000, to make an Allowance to the said Robert Donald, pursuant to thelast Resolution.
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Mr Fleming also reported, That the Committee, to whom the Petition of RobertHastie was referred, had had the same under their Consideration, and agreed upon aReport, and come to two Resolutions thereupon, which he read in his Place, and thendelivered in at the Table, where they were again twice read, and agreed to by the House,as follow..
The said Robert Hastie produced to this Committee an Account against MajorAndrew Lewis for sundry dry Goods delivered him at Fort Frederick, amounting to £.4 gs.1 id. with a Certificate signed Andrew Lewis, signifying that the said Goods were receivedfor the Use of the Chorokee Indians..
The said Robert Hastie also produced to this Committee an Account against Capt.John Smith for sundry Goods delivered him at Fort Frederick, amounting to £.7 13/”. gd.which Account is signed John Smith, and directed to the Honorable Committee, but itdoes not appear to this Committee for what Uses the said Goods were delivered, andthereupon.
Resolved,
That the said Robert Hastie ought to be paid by the public the Sum of£.4 gs. nd. for the Goods mentioned in the said Account against Major Lewis.Resolved, That the said Petition, as to so much thereof as relates to the Goods men-tioned in the Account against Capt. Smith, ought to be referred to the next Session ofAssembly, to be further enquired into..
Ordered,
That it be an Instruction to the Committee, appointed by Act of Assemblyfor raising £.40,000, to make an Allowance to the said Robert Hastie, pursuant to the firstResolution.
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Journal of the House of Burgesses of its 1st session starting March 25, 1756
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COMPENSATION
May 5, 1756
Mr Fleming reported, That the Committee to whom the Petition of Thomas Donaldwas referred, had had the same under their Consideration, and agreed upon a Report, andcome to two Resolutions thereupon, which he read in his Place, and then delivered in atthe Table, where they were again twice read, and agreed to by the House, as follow..
The said Thomas Donald produced to this Committee, an Account against Capt.William Preston, for Goods delivered him at Fort Frederick, for the Use of his Company,amounting to £.3 2 s. 6d. with a Certificate signed William Preston, signifying that thesaid Goods were received for the Use of the said Company..
The said Thomas Donald also produced to this Committee, an Account againstCapt. Richard Paris, for sundry Goods delivered to him at Fort Frederick, for the Use ofthe white Men and Indians in his Company, amounting to £.59 igs. yd. with a Certificatesigned Richard Paris, signifying that the said Capt. Paris had received the said Goodsfor the Uses aforesaid..
The said Thomas Donald also produced to this Committee, an Account against Capt.John Smith, for sundry Goods delivered him at Fort Frederick, amounting to £.ig 13 s.id. which Account is signed John Smith, which Account is directed to the honorableCommittee, but it does not appear to this Committee for what Uses the said Goods weredelivered, and thereupon,.
Resolved,
That the said Thomas Donald ought to be paid by the Public, the Sum of£.63 2 s. 1 d. for the Goods mentioned in the Accounts against Capt. Preston and Capt.Paris.
.Resolved,
That the said Petition, for so much thereof as relates to the Goods containedin the Account against Cap. Smith, ought to be referred to the next Session of Assembly,to be further enquired into.
.Ordered,
That it be an Instruction to the Committee appointed by Act of Assembly,for raising £.40,000, to make an Allowance to the said Thomas Donald, pursuant to thefirst Resolution.
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Journal of the House of Burgesses of its 1st session starting March 25, 1756
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LAST DAY OF 1ST SESSION
May 5, 1756
I think proper to prorogue you to the SecondThursday in October, and you are accordingly prorogued to that Time.
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Journal of the House of Burgesses of its 1st session starting March 25, 1756
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FIRST DAY OF 2ND SESSION
September 20, 1756
But the House of Burgesses met earlier on September 20, 1756, because of a letter from Lord Loudoun, both Governor in abstentia of Virgina (while Lt Gov Dinwiddie ran its affairs) and also North American Commander of all forces.
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Journal of the House of Burgesses of its 2nd session starting September 20, 1756
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LINKS
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NOTES
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GW appoints Fraser to Fort Dinwiddie. Isn’t this the famous Fraser who had the cabin on Turtle Creek?
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And Hog is looking he will join Major Andrew Lewis on the Sandy Expedition
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FROM GEORGE WASHINGTON TO GEORGE FRASER, 27 JANUARY 1756
TO GEORGE FRASER
[27 January 1756]
To Lieutenant George Frazier of the Virginia Regiment.Sir,
You are really appointed to Captain Hoggs Company as Captain Peachy told you; and I am sorry to say, as it is disagreeable to you, that you must abide by this regulation; and repair to the Company with all convenient dispatch.1
If it is absolutely necessary for you to go by Fort Cumberland; I must recommend diligence, as your presence may be wanting—As to your having Fort Duty this year, it is no other than what I expect we all shall have (I see no prospect of taking the Field:) and if I judge right, you may have as good an opportunity to reap Laurels on Jackson’s River, as at any other Station on our Frontiers; along which I expect the Troops will all be posted.
Since you mention how much Captain Hogg and Son2 are addicted to disputation; I think it my duty to caution you against it. For if any difference arises, by which the Public Service is in the least retarded; the Offender shall certainly answer it to a General Court Martial; and undergo the utmost rigour of the Sentence.
It is possible, Captain Hogg’s Company may be marched on a certain Expedition ordered by the Governor; should this be the case, you are to remain at the Garrison until his return; and as soon as that happens, relieve Lieutenent McNeil, and order him to join his Troop.3
G:W.
January 27th 1756.
LB, DLC:GW.
1. On 5 Dec. 1755 GW instructed Fraser to remain at Fredericksburg, but in his general order of 9 Jan. 1756 GW revealed that Fraser was being assigned to Peter Hog’s 1st company at Fort Dinwiddie on Jackson River, to replace Lt. John McNeill. Fraser did not join Hog. He resigned from the regiment instead (Stephen’s Regimental Return, 31 May 1756, DLC:GW).
2. The copyist may have written “Son” for Woodson. On 15 Dec. 1755 Dinwiddie urged Hog to “let no Disputes or Contentions” with Capt. Obadiah Woodson “prevent or interrupt this necessary Service” (15 Dec. 1755, ViHi: Dinwiddie Papers). In 1777 when Hog added a codicil to his will, his sons James and Peter were minors, and another son, Thomas, was born before his death in 1782.
3. Hog was soon to embark on the Sandy Creek expedition with Maj. Andrew Lewis. GW wrote Hog on 10 Jan. that McNeill had been assigned to Robert Stewart’s company of light horse and he should report to Stewart as soon as Fraser arrived at Fort Dinwiddie to relieve him.
PERMALINK What’s this?
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How Burkes Garden Formed
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Geologists get the last word, and they’ve apparently said, according to Tazewell historian and author Louise Leslie, that this bowl was once a 6,500-foot-high mountain largely composed of limestone, but with a sandstone cap. Slowly, that sandstone cap eroded, and the peak of Garden Mountain collapsed into itself. That’s the “common wisdom,” says Whitted. “And the limestone shifts all the time, so that’s a pretty believable story.”
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Source
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Old Hitler in Burkes Garden
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White-haired Marvin Meek recalls tales of Tazewell County and how the residents of his unincorporated hometown banded together in 1940, at the onset of World War II, to stop a sheep-killing bear they called “Old Hitler” because he was so beastly.
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burkes garden
alec meeks wife–berty, was my mothers sister!!! i remember jack, tom and lillian!!!, I spent many a day there on the old home place and when I was only four years old I pulled the tongue out of OLD HITLER, who was laying inside on a couch!!!, and there was a stone house down below the smokehouse, where uncle alex kept an animal!!! and I wandered there, and said daddy, come see the doggy!!! well guess what ?? it was not a dog, it was a bear!!!
john M johnston more than 7 years ago
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4. The two most notorious animals in The Garden’s history are “Old Hitler,” a 500-pound black bear that killed dozens of cattle and sheep in the 1940s, and “The Varmint,” a coyote that terrorized the community in 1952, killing more than 400 sheep. Big-game hunters were brought in from Arizona to track and kill “The Varmint,” so named because local residents didn’t know what they were dealing with at first, coyotes having been absent from the valley for many years. The remains of both infamous creatures reside these days at the Crab Orchard Museum & Pioneer Park in Tazewell.
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Picture of the skinned 500 lb Bear at that museum
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Hanging on the wall is the skin of an adult black bear nicknamed Old Hitler. This bear was about 30 years old and weighed almost 600 lbs. when it was killed. He terrorized the livestock of Burke’s Garden, Virginia, killing hogs, cows, and sheep during the 1940s, at the same time as World War II. The residents of Burke’s Garden named him “Old Hitler” after Adolf Hitler, leader of Nazi Germany, who was ruling over Europe just as Old Hitler was ruling over Burke’s Garden.
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The Coyote
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The one animal not native to our region is the western coyote. In the early 1950s, this particular coyote was purchased by a man who lived on Jewell Ridge and brought from the Western United States to train his dogs. He bought two coyote puppies, but they both escaped. One was hit and killed by a car, and this one made its way to Burke’s Garden. Over 11 months, this coyote killed 410 sheep, valued at $23,000 in 1953 – the equivalent of almost $210,000 in modern money. The coyote became known as “The Varmint” because coyotes were unknown then to Southwestern Virginia and no one knew what sort of creature was killing the sheep. After many months of trying to catch the Varmint, a professional hunter named Clell Lee was brought in from Arizona along with his dogs, Lightning Lee, Gypsy, Runt, and Freckles, to track and drive the animal. Lee was paid $2,500 plus expenses to come to Burke’s Garden, but there was no guarantee for success. On February 22nd, 1953 Lee and his dogs drove the Varmint into the Brown Family graveyard where it was shot and killed by Alfred Jones & Hugh E. Cox, both of Tazewell County. The outlaw was strung up in the middle of Burke’s Garden and hundreds drove in to see the mysterious predator. A cast of his teeth was verified by a veterinarian and only then was it confirmed that the terror of Burke’s Garden was a western coyote. The arrival of the Varmint changed farming in the region, with several farmers either adding fencing and guard animals or giving up sheep farming altogether.
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In the summer of 1755, just about the time of the attack upon
Draper's Meadows, a scalping party of Shawnees made an incursion
into the Middle Holston Valley. They attacked the more exposed
settlements, killed several settlers and captured others. Captain
Samuel Stalnaker, who then had his cabin home some four or five
miles west of the present town of Marion, Smyth County, Virginia,
was made a captive, and Mrs. Stalnaker and Adam Stalnaker were
killed. The presumption is that they were the wife and son of
Samuel Stalnaker. He was the man whose house Dr. Walker and
party helped to "raise" in March, 1750, while they were en route
to Cumberland Gap and Kentucky. Stalnaker and the other pris-
oners were taken through or across the Clinch Valley by the Indians
on their return to their towns in Ohio. This is evidenced by the
journal of Colonel William Preston who commanded a company in
the expedition of Colonel Andrew Lewis, known in history as the
"Sandy Expedition," and which was made in the months of February
and March, 1756. While traveling down the stream that Colonel
Preston called "Sandy Creek," on Sundy the 29th of February,
1756, he noted in his journal: "This creek has been much fre-
quented by Indians both traveling and hunting on it, and from late
signs I am apprehensive that Stalnaker and the prisoners taken with
him were carried this way." Captain Stalnaker made his escape
from the Indians, but when, where, or how is not recorded in any
history, nor is there any record showing what was the fate of the
other prisoners.
There were a number of persons killed, wounded, and captured
on New River and Reed Creek by the Shawnees who persisted in
sending scalping parties to those sections in the summer and fall
of 1755, and in February and March 1756. It was to avenge the
outrages inflicted upon the settlers in the New River and Holston
valleys, as well as the massacre at Draper's Meadows, that the
"Sandy Expedition" was projected. The purpose of this expedi-
tion was to march to the Ohio River and punish the Shawnees, by
killing as many of them as possible, and to destroy their towns.
Colonel Andrew Lewis was commander of the expedition, and
his forces consisted of about four hundred men, including one bun-
and Southwest Virginia 219
dred, or more, Cherokee and Chickasaw Indians, who had been
induced to become allies of the Virginians in the French and Indian
War. This small army was composed of Augusta County militia
and four companies of volunteers. The several military companies
were commanded by Captains Peter Hogg, William Preston, John
Smith, Samuel Overton, and Obediah Woodson ; and the four volun-
teer companies were under the command of Captains Robert Breck-
enridge, Archibald Alexander, John Montgomery, and Dunlap.
The Indians had been recruited by Captain Richard Pearis and
were commanded by him.
This expedition was assembled at Fort Prince George, after-
wards called Fort Lewis, four miles west of where Salem, Roanoke
County, is now located. Captain William Preston was placed in
charge of the vanguard, and began the march on "Monday ye, 9th
day of February, 1756;" and in his journal says:
"In persuance to ye orders of Major Lewis, dated the 9th inst.,
I marched from Fort Prince George, with my two Lieutenants, 2
Sergeants, 3 Corporals, and 25 Privates." On Wednesday, the 1 1th,
they arrived at New River, at Ingles' Ferry, where they found the
Indian allies in camp; and Captain Preston says: "As we marched
by the Cherokee Camp we saluted them by firing off guns, which
they returned in seeming great joy and afterwards honored us with
a war dance."
Major Lewis with the main body of his white force, arrived at
New River and reviewed all the troops on Friday, the 13th; and on
Saturday, the 14th, Captain Dunlap joined them with a company
of twenty-five volunteers. This completed the military force that
was encamped at Fort Frederick, which was the name then held
by the fort at Dunkard's Bottom. On Sunday, the 15th inst., James
Burke, who had fled from Burke's Garden, arrived at the camp and
gave information that Robert Looney had been killed by the Shaw-
nee Indians near the home of Alex Sawyers, on Reed Creek.
The expedition had been organized to go to Ohio to look for
the Shawnees and destroy their towns; but Major Lewis and his
little army were about to come in contact with small bands of these
Indians at a point only some sixty miles distant from Fort Prince
George, the starting place, and right in the settlements on Reed
Creek. As a matter of precaution, on Monday, the 16th, forty
Indians and sixty white men were sent out to range the woods about
Reed Creek; and on Thursday, the 19th, the army broke camp and
220 History of Tazewell County
started on its perilous and disastrous journey. As this was the first
military expedition of white men that entered and passed over the
territory now embraced in Tazewell County, it is an event of special
interest in connection with the history of the county. Therefore, I
will reproduce that part of Captain Preston's journal which shows
the route pursued and what transpired while Lewis and his men
were marching through this particular region. The following are
the entries made by Captain Preston.
"Thursday 19, Left Fort Frederick at 10 o'clock: 27 loaded
pack horses, got to William Sawyers: camped on his barn floor.
"Friday 20, Switched one of the soldiers for swearing, which
very much incensed the Indian chiefs then present. Advanced to
Alex Sawyers, met the Indians who went out with the first division,
and Lieutenant Ingles, who informed us of the burial of Robert
Looney. Some of our Indians deserted.
"Sat. 21, Major Lewis, Capt. Pearis and the interpreter went to
Col. Buchanan's place (Anchor and Hope), where they met the
Indians who had deserted us, and induced them to return, which
they did.
"Sunday, 22, marched to John McFarlands." (McFarland lived
in Black Lick on the head of Reed Creek.)
"Monday, 23, marched over the mountain to Bear Garden, on
North Fork of Holston's river. Lost sundry horses.
"Tuesday 24, Crossed two mountains and arrived at Burkes
Garden. Had plenty of potatoes, which the soldiers gathered in
the deserted plantations.
"Wednesday 25, Remained in Camp.
"Burke's Garden is a tract of land of 5,000 or 6,000 acres as
rich and fertile as any I ever saw, as well watered with many
beautiful streams and is surrounded with mountains almost impas-
sible.
"Thursday 26, Marched early, crossed three large mountains,
arrived at head of Clinch. Our hunters found no game.
"Friday 27, Lay by on account of rain. Hunters killed three
or four bears.
"Saturday 28, passed several branches of Clinch and at length
got to the head of Sandy Creek where we met with great trouble and
fatigue, occasioned by heavy rain, and driving our baggage horses
down said creek, which we crossed 20 times that evening. Killed
three buffaloes and some deer.
and Southwest Virginia 221
There were no settlers in the territory which now constitutes
Tazewell County when the Sandy Expedition passed through
Burke's Garden and the Clinch Valley. If James Burke had formed
an intention to become a permanent settler, he abandoned such
intention when he fled from the Indians, never to enter Burke's
Garden again as a resident.
I am at a loss to understand what Captain William Preston
meant by the entry made in his journal on the 24th of February,
1756, stating that they: "Had plenty of potatoes which the soldiers
gathered in the deserted plantations." This entry would justify
the conclusion that there was more cleared and cultivated land there
at that time than tradition has placed to the account of James Burke's
industry. It might also warrant the belief that other persons had
been living there besides Burke. The plantations, however, men-
tioned by Captain Preston may have been what the first settlers
called "patches."
Another very peculiar entry in the Preston journal is one which
tells that when the expedition left Burke's Garden it crossed three
movmtains to reach the head of Clinch River. If this statement is
corre(;t, tlie army did not make its exit through the gap at the west
end of the Garden. In the mountain wliich encircles the Garden
there is a low place between the gap and the Bear Town peak.
Colonel Lewis evidently took his men through this low place over
to Little Creek, then crossed Rich Mountain to a point just west of
the divide between Clear Fork and the Clinch Valley. Not being
familiar with the country, instead of turning westward, down the
valley, the expedition crossed Buckhorn Mountain and came into
the valley just west of Dial Rock. Thence the march was con-
tinued until the head of "Sandy Creek" was reached.
I>ocal historians have expressed different views as to which
branch of the stream was reached and followed. This, Tiowever,
is unimportant, as Tug River was the main stream followed, and
received its name from an incident which occurred during the jour--
ney. At one time the provisions were so completely exhausted that
the men were threatened with starvation. Johnston, in his History
of the New River Settlements, thus relates what occurred: "The
weather was extremely cold, snow having fallen the march was a
difficult one, and the men stopping at Burning Spring (Warfield)
took strips of the hides of the buffaloes and broiled them in the
burning gas. They cut them into strips or thugs, hence the name of
Tug River. On leaving the spring they scattered through the
222 History of Tazewell County
mountains and many of them perished, either frozen to death,
starved, or killed by the Indians. They left, however, some marks
by the way, cutting their names on trees on the route pursued by
them, notably at the forks of Big Coal and Clear Fork of that
river, but these trees have been destroyed in recent years."
The remnant of the little army was then returning from its
unsuccessful and disastrous expedition. It did not get as far as the
mouth of Sandy River, the point where it was expected to reach the
Ohio. On the 12th of March the men were so discouraged that they
began to desert; and on the 13th Montgomery's and Dunlap's volun-
teers left with a view of getting back to their homes, if they could.
It is probable that it was then that the return march was begun.
Colonel George Washington was ill command of all the Virginia
military forces in 1756, with his headquarters at Winchester, as
previously related, and he vigorously opposed the Sandy Expedition.
He knew the wild and rugged character of the region through which
Lewis and his men had to travel, and was confident the enterprise
would prove unsuccessful, especially as it was undertaken in the
winter season. Governor Dinwiddie was so provoked at the Shaw-
nees for their repeated savage attacks upon the frontier settlements
that he insisted that the expedition should go forward, and upon
him rested the responsibility for its failure.
The failure of the Sandy Expedition was not only a seriously
alarming blow to the English settlements west of New River, but
was a great incentive to the Shawnees and the other hostile tribes in
Ohio to continue their savage attacks upon the border settlements,
extending from the Holston Valley to the Potomac River. These
incursions of the Indians were encouraged and supported by the
French, who were then engaged in a general war with Great Britain,
and were vigorously prosecuting the French and Indian War against
the English colonies in America. The French were not only furnish-
ing the Indians with arms, ammunition, and other supplies, but
were paying them liberally for the scalps of tlie English settlers,
and also for the prisoners they captured. These conditions con-
tinued until the close of the French and Indian War in 1761, and
the Pontiac War in 1763; and resulted in driving out nearly all
the settlers who had located west of New River. Colonel William
Preston, who, after the death of liis uncle. Colonel James Patton,
became the guiding spirit of the Trans-Alleghany Pioneers, in a
letter written from his home at Greenfield, in the present Botetourt
I
and Southwest Virginia 223
County, on the 27th of July, 1763, thus related the unhappy condi-
tion of the settlements along and west of New River :
"Our situation at present is very different from what it was
when we had the pleasure of your company in this country. All
the valleys of Roanoke river and along the waters of the Mississippi
are depopulated, except Captain English (Ingles) with a few
families on New river, who have built a fort, among whom are Mr.
Thompson and his family, alone remaining. They intend to make
a stand until some assistance be sent them. Seventy-five of the
Bedford militia went out in order to pursue the enemy, but I hear
the officers and part of the men are gone home, and the rest gone
to Reed Creek to help in the family of James Davis and in two or
three other families there that dare not venture to travel.
"I have built a little fort in which are eighty-seven persons,
twenty of whom bear arms. We are in a pretty good posture of
defence, and with the aid of God are determined to make a stand.
In five or six other places in this part of the country they have
fallen into the same method and with the same resolution. How
long we may keep them is uncertain. No enemy have appeared here
as yet. Their guns are frequently heard and their footing observed,
which makes us believe they will pay us a visit. My two sisters and
their families are here and all in good health. We bear our misfor-
tunes so far with fortitude and are in hopes of being relieved."
224 History of Tazewell County
CHAPTER VI.
WHY SETTLEMENTS DELAYED IN CLINCH VALLEY.
No settlers came to the Clinch Valley until nearly twenty years
after surveying parties had come in and located tracts of land here.
John Buchanan, deputy surveyor of Augusta County, had made
surveys on the waters of Clinch River, in 1750; and Colonel Patton
and William Ingles had surveyed a number of boundaries in Burke's
Garden, Abb's Valley, and on the headwaters of Clinch River in
1753. The inquiry has frequently been made why the settlements
were so delayed in the Clinch Valley, especially as a number of
persons had located with their families on New River and its tribu-
taries, and even in the Holston Valley, as early as 1750.
When Dr. Thomas Walker made his famous expedition to Cum-
berland Gap in 1750, he found settlers scattered along the route
he pursued from the "Great Lick," the site of Roanoke City, to the
present Seven Mile Ford, on the Middle Fork of Holston River.
These settlers, when they came in, had followed the Buffalo Trail,
which the Cherokees had been using for years in making their hunt-
ing excursions that were extended as far east as the Great Lick,
and even to the Peaks of Otter. It was also the same trail that the
traders from Eastern Virginia had traveled when they went on
trading expeditions to the Cherokee towns in Tennessee, then North
Carolina. The Clinch Valley was then used by the Indians, the
Cherokees and the Shawnees, as a hunting ground; and had never
been entered by white men, except a few hunting parties, who were,
possibly, as anxious to preserve it for a game park as were the
Indians.
But for certain causes, which I will mention, settlements would
have been made in what is now Tazewell County immediately fol-
lowing the surveying of land here by the Loyal Company, of which
company. Dr. Thomas Walker was the active agent. This company
had, by an order of the Virginia Council, obtained leave to take up
and survey 800,000 acres of land, in one or more surveys, to be
located on the north of the North Carolina line, and running west-
ward and northward for quantity; and the company was given four
years to complete its surveys and purchase riglits for the same.
The company began its work of surveying in 1750, and sold a num-
ber of tracts west of New River, to purchasers at the rate of three
and Southwest Virginia 225
pounds per hundred acres. Some of the purchasers settled on the
lands they bought, while others failed to make settlements. The
Loyal ComiDany was then interrupted by caveats entered by the
Ohio Company and other conflicting claimants, which prevented the
completion of the surveying within the term of four years pre-
scribed by the order of council. An application was made for a
renewal of the grant and on the 14th of June, 1753, an order was
made by the council, giving the company four years more to comr
plete the surveys. By this last order the lands granted are described
as lands lying on the branches of the Mississippi in the county of
Augusta. The company began as soon as possible to locate and
sell lands under the renewed grant, but the P'rench and Indian War
then came on in 1754, and put an end to the surveying. The
Indians commenced their hostile incursions into the settlements west
of the Alleghanies; and this not only prevented, for a period of
nine years, the making of any settlements in the Clinch Valley,
but drove out nearly all the settlers in the New River and Holston
valleys.
The Greenbrier Company, organized by Andrew Lewis and
other prominent Virginians, obtained a grant from the Virginia
Council for 100,000 acres of land, which was to be located west of
the Alleghanies, and south of the Ohio. The execution of the sur-
veying of this company had also been hindered by the same causes
that had affected the Loyal Company. As soon as the war was
terminated these two companies presented a joint petition to the
governor and council, representing that they had made a number of
actual surveys of lands within their respective grants and made sales
of tracts to divers persons. The petition also set forth the fact that
the companies had been prevented from completing their surveys and
making settlements thereon only by the war; and pi'aying the
renewal of their grants for another four years.
In the meantime King George II. had sent instructions to the
colonial government to make no more grants upon the western
waters. P'ollowing this instruction, the governor and council, on the
25th of May, 1763, declared that they were restrained by the royal
instructions from granting the prayer of the two companies. On
the 7th of October, 1763, the king issued a proclamation prohibit-
ing all persons from settling in that tract of country west of the
Alleghanies, which included the territory west of New River; and
the proclamation of the king even required those persons who had
settled in this region under patents to remove therefrom and take
T.H.— 15
226 History of Tazewell County
up their residence in the interior. This course was adopted by the
royal government to pacify the Indians^ who, after the French and
Indian War was terminated, remained bitterly hostile to the Eng-
lish, because of their manifest purpose to rob the natives of their
lands and hunting grounds.
The proclamation of the king not only destroyed every possible
hope that the Loyal Company could ever again secure from the
royal government a renewal of its grants, but, seemingly, invali-
dated the titles to all the lands it had sold to settlers or prospec-
tive settlers. This latter conclusion was based upon the conviction
that the Virginia Council had made a grant to the Loyal Company
of lands that did not belong to the English Crown, but were still
owned by the Indians. And the order of the king for the removal of
all persons who had settled in the forbidden territory placed another
obstruction to the settlement of the Clinch Valley which lasted for
a period of years.
The Iroquois, or Six Nations, of New York, who had been allies
of the British in the war just closed, claimed by right of conquest
all the Virginia territory west of the Blue Ridge and south of the
Ohio River; and the Cherokees, who were also allies of the British
in the war, demanded the withdrawal of all the white settlers from
the territory west of New River and south of the Ohio. These
demands were recognized by the British Government as just; but
gave great concern to the Loyal Company and all persons to whom
the company had sold lands west of New River, either for homes
or speculative purposes. And the company and its vendees went
earnestly to work to secure relief by the negotiation of treaties with
the two Indian nations. Quite a number of would-be settlers had
congregated in the Upper James River Valley and the Roanoke
Valley, eagerly awaiting opportunity to move beyond New River.
In response to their appeals, and through the very effective work of
Dr. Walker and other members of the Loyal Company, treaties were
made with the Indians by which the section west of New River was
opened up for settlement.
In the spring of 17(58 the British Government instructed Sir
William Johnson, of New York, to negotiate a treaty with the Six
Nations, and procure from them the relinquishment of their asserted
claim of certain territory in the provinces of New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania and Virginia. He called a congress of the chiefs of
the Iroquois Confederacy, which assembled at Fort Stanwix, near
Oswego, New York, on the 24th of October, 1768; and four days
and Southwest Virginia 227
thereafter, on the 28th of the same month, a treaty was concluded.
Dr. Thomas Walker was present, as commissioner from Virginia,
and witnessed the signing of the treaty by the six representative
chiefs of the Indian confederacy. No doubt the skillful management
of the accomplished agent of the Loyal Company had much to do
with securing the desired treaty with the Indians. The treaty con-
veyed to King George Third, Sovereign Lord of Great Britain,
France and Ireland, all the Virginia territory claimed by the Iro-
quois, south of the Ohio River, beginning at the mouth of the
Cherokee (Holston) River, where it empties into the River Ohio,
and following along the southern side of said River to Kittanning,
which is above Fort Pitt. This eliminated for all time the claim of
ownership of Virginia territory by the Iroquois.
The British Government had also directed John Stuart, Southern
Superintendent of Indian Affairs, to negotiate a treaty with the
Cherokees. He met the chiefs of the Upper and Lower Cherokee
Nations at Hard Labor, South Carolina, and negotiated a treaty
with these Indians on the 14th of October, 1768, just two weeks
before the treaty at Fort Stanwix was concluded. This treaty was
entirely unsatisfactory, as it failed to secure the very purpose for
which it was sought. It left in the possession of the Cherokees all
the territory they claimed west of New River, which they had held
for many years as their most cherished hunting grounds, the Clinch
and the Holston valleys particularly.
Dr. Walker had been appointed commissioner from Virginia to
be present when the treaty was made with the Cherokees, but did
not attend the meeting. No reasonable explanation was ever given by
John Stuart for the negotiation of a treaty whose terms were the
very opposite of those sought and intended by the government he
represented. Lord Botetourt was then governor of Virginia, and
he was induced to appoint Colonel Andrew Lewis and Dr. Thomas
Walker commissioners to visit the Cherokees and procure from them
another treaty on the desired lines. They proceeded promptly to
South Carolina, where they had conferences with some of the Chero-
kee chiefs, and obtained from them a pledge that the settlers west
of New River should not be disturbed in the possession of their
homes, pending the negotiations for rearranging the boundary lines
of the hunting grounds of the tribe. It was also arranged by the
commissioners that a new treaty should be made with the Indians.
John Stuart, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, met the principle
chiefs and about a thousand of the warriors of the Cherokees at
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