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I heard from Tom Manguson, the leader of the Trading Path Preservation society, (their link is on our main page.) Their mission is to find traces of the old paths and see that they’re properly researched and preserved.
He says they’ve made an exciting find. There’s a spot on one of the two man-made lakes on the Roanaoke, where an old foot path and an old horse trail can be seen rising up out of the lake. (I’m being vague because there’s always the danger of looters.)
He also wanted to let me know what he’s realized about why Fort Christanna was located where is was. It lies along a very efficient route between Petersburg and Cheraw, SC. It was important because it bypassed the Occaneechi trail back in the day when they dominated that trail, making this trail popular with those who couldn’t or wouldn’t do business with the O’s.
We were talking about making an outing next spring or summer to take a look at that fragment of trail. Anybody interested?
Cheraw? My, wouldn’t that make it just a tad bit more convenient for William Byrd and Wm Harrison to do their trading with the Cheraw and Catawba. And, if it helps them to avert the O’s, better goods for trade. Do they have a rough draft of the trade route yet? Curious to see the ending point for this.
The Occoneechi had been eviscerated 40-50 years before William Byrd was in his heyday. All that might have applied to his father, though. Is that who you’re talking about?
Linda wrote: I heard from Tom Manguson, the leader of the Trading Path Preservation society, (their link is on our main page.) Their mission is to find traces of the old paths and see that they’re properly researched and preserved.
He says they’ve made an exciting find. There’s a spot on one of the two man-made lakes on the Roanaoke, where an old foot path and an old horse trail can be seen rising up out of the lake. (I’m being vague because there’s always the danger of looters.)
He also wanted to let me know what he’s realized about why Fort Christanna was located where is was. It lies along a very efficient route between Petersburg and Cheraw, SC. It was important because it bypassed the Occaneechi trail back in the day when they dominated that trail, making this trail popular with those who couldn’t or wouldn’t do business with the O’s.
We were talking about making an outing next spring or summer to take a look at that fragment of trail. Anybody interested?
I thought this was really interesting…I have been reading “History Of The Old Cheraws,” by Alexander Gregg…some puzzle to piece together.
BTW, here is a link where you can view the book…http://books.google.com/books?id=khUTAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=%22Old+Cheraws%22
I like the way you’re digging up my old posts. What’s funny is that I read my posts by way of email notices I get to a folder in my inbox. Formatting is lost, though, so twice now in the past week I’ve scanned through what I thought you talking and thought, ‘hey, I know about this, that’s the same thing I found.” Then I come over here to comment and find out I’d be talking to myself.
How does the Cheraw book tie in with Tom’s discoveries regarding the old trading path?
Hi Linda,
Sorry, I tend to think out-loud when researching, so bringing back posts…your’s and other’s are just that…I have been back at it (researching) and have come across a few things, but want to have all the “ducks in a row,” so to speak.
If I am causing a stir sorry, I just think a lot of info here has been lost in cyber oblivion and should be compiled…if it is to be taken seriously.
I was on another native site today and seached Saponi…seems there are many who do not…however, if all the documentation here was organized…there would be no question:)
What are your thoughts?
Shirley
Oh, don’t apologize. I appreciate what you’re doing. Could you please make a list of the url’s you think we need to reorganize? and a one-liner on their subject?
Have you noticed the column I added on the right “Your Content Here” that’s holding a place for a new menu that will take us to Word Press pages where we can categorize pages however we wish. I’ve always planned to one day edit our content into a cohesive compilation.
Linda,
Look at the description of this land deed dated Mar 1720 to Henry Harrison, John Mason, William Cocke and Thomas Hollinghurst—5000 acres beginning upon the west side of the third great creek above Christanna Fort where an Indian path crossed the said creek so running along the said path to Beaver Pond Creek to contain all the land between the two creek, the river and the aforesaid Indian path.
From what I’ve been able to gather, this is the line from Fort Wood (Abraham’s fort also known today as Petersburg). Beaver Pond Creek, this is a creek that runs from the Fountain’s Creek, which I believe is the original land site of the Saponi prior to their placement at Christanna. BPC also runs across the state line and into Northampton County NC. In fact, this Creek runs directly into the Portuguese Settlement.
There was a land survey done once before and they found what they believe to be the alternate path known as Monaseep’s Ford located around the Roanoke Rapids area. I’ll dig around and see if I can find that. I know that this path isn’t too far from the “Green Path” of the Tuscarora that travels through the town of Clayton NC.
Now, there is an unusual route that runs from VA state route 40 south to VA state route 58 that I have always found interesting. It runs directly through “Purdy” which is the present day name of one of the original Saponi Forts prior to Christanna. VA state route 40 has always piqued my interest.
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