The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-01-18

ty OF Frederick, (naue not siven,) subject IL
paroxysms OF lunacy, and while Influenced
by such fits, usually made excursions into
the wilderness. ana during one of his ram
bles wcstwardly, discovered Greenbrier river.
| At this time I'LL the country west CT the AL
leghany mountains was claimed by tile
French, and was little known to the English
settlers Of the then colonies OF America. The
said luna.ic was surprised to fiEd. the Green
brier river running in different direction
| from any he had before known, and OH his
return to Winchester, made known his dis
covery, and furthermore that the country was
well supplied with all kinds of game. This
information induced two men from New
England, named Jacob Marlin or Martin, and
Stephen Sewell, to visit and select home
OIL the Grcenbrier river. They erected
cabin, but owing to quarrel. and for the
sake OF peace. Sewell quit the cabin and
made his abode III large hollow tree. After
separating they became fast friends again,
and the friendship continued until Sewell
removed forty miles further west to creek
which still bears his name, where the Indians
found him and killed him.
The next person to visit Greenbrer river
was Gen. Andrew Lewis, in the year 175l.
MIR. Lewis was appointed agentfor a compa-
NY OF grantees, who obtained from the Gov
ernor and council Of Virginia, an order for
100000 acres of land lying on the waters of
Greenbrier, and that year proceeded to make
surveys to complete the quantity OF said
grant. The war between England and
France in 1854 checked the proceedings OF
said company; and when they, on the resto-
ration OF peace, would have resumed posses
sion, they were prevented by royal procla-
nation, issued in 1761, commanding all who |
had made settlements on the western waters |
to remove from them, and these engaged in
making surveys to desist. These lands were
claimed by the Indians, and good policy re-
quired that peaceable understanding should
be preserved with them tc prevent hostlities
on their part. Some families, however, who
had moved to Greenbrier, and made two set
Elements, one on Muddy Creek, and one on
the Big levels, disregarded the command of
his royal majesty, and regardless of their
own safety, remained until they were des-
troyed by; the Indians, in 1903. From this
time until 1869, Greenbrier was altogether
when Captain John Stuart and
a party of young men took possession and
began to improve the country, and although
The Indians attempted to eXterminate them.
they failed, and Stuart and his friends ever
after continued in possession.
III the year 1856, settlements we're also
made on New River, and or Holstein |
Among the daring adventurers who effected t
hem, were Evan Shelby, VIM. Campbell, s
Vim. Preston and Daniel Boone, all OF whom t
became distinguished characters in subse-
luent history. Thomas Walden, who was
.fterward killed on Clinch river, and from S
whom the mountain dividing Clinch and @
POWELL river, derived its name was one of b
hem. The lands taken up were held as
'corn-rights, each acquiring title to one
hundred acres of the adjoining land for cy- g
ry acre planted in corn.
About this time Galliopelis OH the north
7estern bank Of the Ohio, and below Point b
Pleasant, at the mouth of the Great Kanaw- l
q was settled by party Of French Jesuits. e
his place and the mouth of the Great San
Y river were the chief points Of rendezvous
Or the Ohio Indians, a very hostile tribe, 9
rho committed the most enormous barbara
les on the frontiers. From here they would q
scend the Kanawha and Greenbrier rivers,
nd from thence crossing the mountains en- n
er Augusta; or, after having assembled the f
-anawha, go up the New river, from which q
hey would pass ever to the James aud Roam !
Ike. From these two points expeditions =
'ere frequently made by the Indians, which ),
rought desolation and death to the infant !
ettlements of the southwest, and retarded !,
heir growth. In the spring of 1857, nearly !,
ne whole Roanoke settlement was destroyed !,
y {. party OF Shawnees who had made their
ray to it. !,
ITO be c0ntinued)