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Hello Everyone,
I just wanted to make people aware that the state of Virginia’s Dept. of Historical Recources, has done archaeological studies at Fort Christanna. I’m not sure if they are complete yet. This is all I know so far, as I came across it while searching for something else.
I had one family member at the Fort, as I have a copy of letter that confirms this. I’m not saying he was Indian, just that he was there. Does anyone have a list of people that were not Indian, that were at the Fort? My family ancestry does include American Indian heritage.
Sincerely,
CoheeLady
After I wrote the above information I have found out that the project is on going & so far has taken three years. I will give more information, as soon as possible.
[This message has been edited by CoheeLady (edited 08-13-2002).]
The afternoon of the Nottoway Pow Wow Saponi1 and I ducked out and snuck over to Fort Christanna. My husband said the archeologist was over there and was a real nice guy. We drove through the microburst that was headed towards the pow wow. It was coming down so hard we couldn’t see the road ahead of us. Good thing nobody was stalled on the highway, ’cause we just kept going, blind. It was still dry as a bone at the Fort.
Chris Stevenson is a really nice guy and loves showing people what he’s found. He pulled back some tarp to show us the stain from the trench the poles were sunk into that made up part of the wall of the fort. He said the most artifacts he found were wine bottles. That’s at the fort, so presumably it was the soldiers who were doing a lot of drinking. (In 1726, William Byrd mentioned how he disapproved of the amount of liquor Mr. Hicks was selling people at the fort.)
We chatted for a good while, then he drove us down to the Meherrin and he showed us where to cross to find the spot where one village was. He’s not sure if that’s where the Saponi village was or not. It was the spot where we always go to sit by the river. Made us feel like we had good instincts. I know it always gets Crystal jumping being there.
Chris gave me his card. He works through the Capital Region Preservation Office, 19B Bollingbrook Street, Petersburg, VA 23803. If anybody would like to email him, please send to me and I will forward.
Linda,
I’m happy to hear that you were able to visit the site while Chris was there. You would think that in three years of digging they would have more artifacts, than just mainly wine bottles.
CoheeLady
Hello all, someone mentioned a list of names from the Fort Christanna days , can anyone send me or atleast make a posting of those names if they are known from that site? Tom
I don’t know of any list of names at Fort Christanna. There may have been a list of student at the (precursor to) William and Mary but that got burned up in a fire, I imagine the one set during the insurrection.
Does anyone have any information concerning the Indian School at Fort Christianna? I believe it was taught by a Professor from the College of William & Mary. I read about it on the internet but cannot find the link (thought I bookmarked it, but I didn’t). Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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