1752 Map Sketch w/location of Fort Christanna

Fontaine, Peter, Jun. “Letters of the Peter Fontaine, Jun. of Rock Castle, Hanover County, Virginia”: p. 356-377. Maury, Ann. Memoirs of a Huguenot Family: Translated and compiled from the original autobiography of the Rev. James Fontaine, and other Family Manuscripts; Comprising an original Journal of Travels in Virginia, New York, Etc, in 1715 and 1716. New York. Geo. P. Putnam & Co. 1853. 512 pgs. <http://content.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=BookList&dbid=15721&ti=0>

I am posting this because of the map that was included with it, which I will email to Linda. The letter “B” designates “Christanna Fort, now deserted.”

From a letter of Peter Fontaine Junior’s addressed to “Mr. John Fontaine” dated Lunenburg, Virginia, 9th July, 1752, pages 356 – 359.

Dear Sir: – I got not long since, your kind letter, by the hand of my father, bearing date 2d January, 1752, and take this opportunity of returning you my thanks for the many expressions of kindness it contains. We are all (God be praised) well, not only my family, but all our relations that I have lately heard from, except by good aunt Maury, who I hear has been very like to die, and is yet in a very low condition.

The kind curiosity you seem to have to know where I live, has put be upon sending you a sketch of that part of our country where I now reside, which I thought might be some entertainment to you, as you in your rambles with Colonel Spotswood, travelled over a good deal of the southern part of Virginia.

I find you have formed a very good judgement of the situation of these parts, for Lunenburg, as you imagine, joins (as you see by the plan) Carolina, though not so far now as it did before Halifax county, now on the head of it, was but off from it by a late Act of Assembly. You judge very rightly that Meherrin River is in Lunenburg county. We live so high up Nottoway River that we have not any fish, as you imagine, but, thank God, a healthy air, fruitful soil, and good fresh range for stocks. I fancy you did not travel far enough southward to get acquainted with Roanoke River, which is a much finer stream than either Meherrin or Nottoway, and vastly larger, before it divides itself into two streams, called Stanton and Dan, near three hundred yards over, and either of the just mentioned branches of it are at least two hundred thirty.

My district for surveying lies, i. e. the chief of it, in Halifax county, in the Fork of the river Roanoke, so that I now live out of my county, and by means of the indulgence granted me, of having assistants, I do not go at all in the woods, which indeed my weakly constitution is not fit for; yet, thank God, I have my health very well, when I am not obliged to undergo fatigue. Though my living a hundred and twenty miles from Williamsburg, forces me frequently to take very tedious rides, being sometimes called down in the heat of summer. But certainly, if any man in the world has reason to be thankful to the Great Giver of all blessings, I, who in a troublesome employment, am indulged to live at home at ease, ought to be all gratitude, and instead of murmuring at the trifling fatigues I undergo, should be thankful that I can reap a comfortable harvest without putting my hand to the plough.

You see, dear sir, the regard you are so kind as to express for me, has made me so fond of myself, and so vain, as to trouble you with almost half a sheet full of my own history, and to imagine all the while that I am entertaining you agreeably.

My family is increased by the birth of a son, now two months old, whom we have named Peter. My wife joins me in tenders of hearty and unfeigned respect to you, my aunt, and all your good family. I have no more to add, but to beg on your part of continuance of the correspondence, which affords me so much real comfort, and to assure you that I am with my daily prayers for the health and welfare of you, and all our dear friends on your side the ocean,

Your very affectionate nephew and humble servant,

Peter Fontaine, Jun.

To Mr. John Fontaine.

Stacey