Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1885-12-04
CHAPTER II.
INDIAN SETTLEMENTS.

signs Oh inc anCltuJ lcoluOhSS' VI
Indians, but considers it sufficient
to say that on all our water cour-
ses. evidences of their dwellings
are yet to be seen. Tho two great
branches of the Shenandoah, and
the south branch Of the Potomac,
appear to have been their favorlte
places of residence. There are
more numerous signs OF their VIII
lagos to be seen on these water
courses, than in any other part OF
our Valley.
On the banks Of the Cohongoru'
ton, (Potomac,) there has doubt
less been a pretty considerable set
tlement. The late Col. Joseph
Swearengen's dwellinghouse stands
within a circular wall or moat.lal
When first known by the white IN
habitants, the wall was about
eigh teen inches high, and the ditch
about two feet deep. This circular
wall was made of earth-is now
considerably reduced, but yet
plainly to be seen. 1t is not more
than n half a mile from Shepherds
town.
For what particular purpose this
wall was thrown up, whether Tor
ornament or defense, the author
cannot pretend to form an opinion
| If it was intended for defense, II
appears to have been too low to
answer any valuable purpose IL
that way.
On the Wappatomaka, a fe"
miles below the forks, tradition
relates that there was a very con
siderable Indian settlement. Or
the farm of Isaac Y anmeter, Esq.
on this water course, in the county
of Hardy, when the country wa'
| Grst discovered, there were con
siderable openings of the land, Of
natural prairies, which are called
"the Indian old fields" to this day
| Numerous Indian graves ARE to Dc
seen in the neighborhood. a llttl'
above the forks of this ri TeV N very
large Indian grave is now to- D'
seen.(b) In the bank of the river
little below the forks, umerou'
human skeletons have been discO0
cred, and several articles of curious
workmanship. A highly finished
pipe, representing snake colled
round the bowl, with its head pro
jectcd above the bowl, was among
them. There was the under jaw
bone of a human being of great size
found at the same place, which con
tanned eight jaw teeth in each sld'
of enormous size and what is mor'
remarkable, the teeth stood trans
vcrsely in the jaw bone. 1t wonl'
pass over any common mans ihc'
with entire ease.(c)
There are many other signs o
Indian settlements all along thl'
river. both above and below th'
one Just described. Mr.. Care
Blue, of the county OF Hampshire
informed the author, that abon
two miles below the IIa nging Rocks
in the bank of the river a stratum
of ashes, about one rod in length
was some years ago discovered
At this place are signs of an Indian
]
village, and their old ields- Th
Rev. John J. Jacobs, of Hampshir
informed the author th. it on Nj
Daniel Cresap's land, on the Nortl
branch of the Potomac, few mile
above Cumberland, hum an skeie
ton was discovered, VIII lch hat
been covered with a coat o I WOO
ashes, about two feet bel ow tn
surface of the ground. An entlr
decomposition of the skelet' IN ha'
taken place, with the excep, ion o
the teeth they were in p eriec
state of preservation.
On the two great brancheso fth'
Shenandoah there are now o 0'
seen numerous sites of their anc zen
villages, several of which are 81
remarkable that they deserve
passing notice. 1t has been no tic
ed, ir my preceding chaper, t'na
on Mr.. Steenbergen's land, on th'
North fork of the Shenandoah, th'
remains of large Indian monnt
are plainly to be seen. 1t is alS'
suggested that this wa : once tn
residence of the SenedOs tribe, ant
that that tribe had been extern
mated by the Southern Indians
Exclusive of this large mound,(d
there are several other lndlal
graves. About this place many G
their in lplements and domesti
utensils have been found. A shoT
distanC o below the mouth of Ston
Creek "a branch of tho Shenar
, Joah } within four or five miles {
/, Woo dstock, are the signs of an II
/, tliar village. AT this place gu
tar rel, with several iron tomahawh
we re found long after the Indian
: le' It the cOuntry.(e)
On Mr.. Anthony Kline's farr
within about three miles of ST
(a) Maj. Henry Bedinger informed &
author that at his first recollection OF u
n place, the wall or moat was about cighte
inches nigh, and the ditch around it abo
tw o feet deep. The wall was raised
the outside Of the ditch, and careful
d thrown up.
H. (b) William Sey ymour, Esq, related Il
he fact to the author.
II, William Heath, Esq, In the cOur