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INDIAN SETTLEMENTS.

CHAPTER II.

INDIAN SETTLEMENTS.

The author deems it unnecessary to give a detailed accout of all the particular places which exhibit signs of the ancient residences of Indians, but considers it sufficient to say that on all our water courses, evidences of their dwellings are yet to be seen. The two great branches of the Shenandoah and the south branch of the Potomac appear to have been their favorite places of residence. There are more numerous signs of their villages to be seen on these water courses, than in any other part of our Valley.

On the banks of the Cohongoruton, (Potomac), there has doubtless been a pretty considerable Settlement. The late Col. Joseph Swearengen's dwelling house stands within a circular wall or moat.* When first known by the white inhabitants, the wall was about eighteen 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. It is not more than half a mile from Shepherdstown.

For what particular purpose this wall was thrown up, whether for ornament or defense, the author cannot pretend to form an opinion. If it was intended for defense, it appears to have been too low to answer any valuable purpose in that way.

On the Wappatomaka, a few miles below the forks, tradition relates that there was a very considerable Indian settlement. On the farm of Isaac Vanmeter, Esq., on this water course, in the county of Hardy, when the county was first discovered, there was considerable openings of the land, or natural prairies, which are called the Indian old fields to this day. Numerous Indian graves are to be seen in the neighborhood. A little above the forks of the river a very large Indian grave is now to be seen.† In the bank of the river, a little below the forks, numerous human skeletons have been discovered, and several articles of curious workmanship. A highly finished pipe, representing a snake coiled round the bowl, with its head projected 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 contained eight jaw teeth, in each side, of enormous size;