Hi Folks,
The subject is Migration Routes, but the location of Kasselman is
included.
Regards,
Flo.
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-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [WVHAMPSH-L] Migration Routes to South Branch Valley
Resent-Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 14:59:33 -0700
Resent-From: WVHAMPSH-L(a)rootsweb.com
Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 17:59:38 -0400
From: Sara Patton <sarap(a)widomaker.com>
Reply-To: WVHAMPSH-L(a)rootsweb.com
To: WVHAMPSH-L(a)rootsweb.com
Other than secondary source maps, some primary source clues to EARLY
migration routes into the South Branch Valley follow.
1. Routes to South Branch taken by the Moravian missionaries between
1743-53 indicate that first part of the journey was always the same
from Bethlehem by way of Lebanon, Lancaster, York, PA, Frederick and
Hagerstown, MD, to the Potomoc. Primary route to South Branch Valley
was via Hagerstown, MD, over mountains of western MD to Oldtown,
crossing the Potomac there at the mouth of the South Branch, either
traveling up (south) Patterson Creek, or up the South Branch River to
area around Moorefield where they usually stayed with Matthias Yoakum.
From that point which they used as a base, they traveled through the
Gap to the Petersburg area via the river to preach. They most often
left over the mountains to the east into the Shenandoah Valley.
Following are notes I have taken from "Moravian Diaries of Travels
Through Virginia" edited by Revolution. Wm J. Hinke and Charles E.
Kemper. Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. Volumes 11 &12,
(1903 & 1904)
1747- VMHB 1255 ff.
From MD, missionaries crossed Potomac and then the mountains to Hot
or Health Springs (Berkeley Springs) where they found a number of sick
people using the springs. Found no houses, "only mountains and bad
roads" had to take a guide over mountains "It was a way the like of
which I have not seen in America. Stayed with "Englishman" (probably
Thomas Cresap-located at mouth of South Branch-Oldtown ) Crossed North
Branch which is name of Potomac at this point ( no houses for 12
miles, stayed with German who showed them way over 2 high mountains.
Came to "Bettessens" Creek (Patterson's Creek)-where many Germans live
interspersed among Low Dutch (Hollanders) and English New Lights.
Traveled 30 miles/40 miles from Patterson's Creek to the "Soud
Brentch" which flows between high mountains. It is settled more than
60 miles. Many Germans live there. Stayed Matthias Yoakum who lived
at mouth of South Fork, site of Moorefield today. Crossed over
mountains to Shenandoah Valley and "Fredericktown" (Winchester) then
into MD.
1748 - VMHB 11235ff
Left Bethlehm, PA via Tulpehocken, Lebanon ("Quittopehilla"), Lititz
("Warwick") and Lancaster, PA. Continued through Codorus in York
county, Canewago in Adams Co to Monocacy in MD. Stayed with Jonathan
"Haeger" (Hagerstown, MD), traveled over high mountains called Blue or
North Ridge to "Colonel Christopher Grissop" (Cresap's at Oldtown,
MD-opposite mouth of South Branch.) Crossed river, came to "Urbanus
Kraemer" on South Branch, traveled up (south) South Branch to area
where Hollanders from Esopus, NY had settled (Vanmeters, Kuykendalls,
etc.--around Old Fields) Continued up river to "Matthaeus Joachim"
(Matthias Yoakum at mouth of South Fork.)
Changed plans at this point, going down along the South Branch because
there was no road over the high mountains.
1748 - VMHB 1262ff
At Jonathon Haeger's (Hagerstown,MD), missionary was told it would be
difficult to travel on foot in spring "on account of the water being
very high and cold." When he replied he would hire horses when he
needed them, he was told that "in the first place people do not know
you, and then you will not find any houses much less horses for forty
miles." Had to be guided onto right road over the mountains. Came
to Indian trader's house (Charles Polk) , very disorderly. .-last
house for 40 miles. Was thankful for having been delivered safely
from this house. ("several people, who had conducted themselves very
badly the night before." )
NW Frederick County, MD-Thurmont vicinity) Traveled northwest over
high mountains "To-day I crossed the high North Mountain, the
appearance of which everywhere was terrible. If one is down in the
valley he cannot look up to the high, steep mountains without
shuddering. And if one is up on the top of the mountains, the deep
valleys, in which no bottom but only the tops of the trees are seen
and the rushing of the water is heard, are also awe inspiring. The
last and highest mountain is called 'High Germany' and immediately
after it is a deep valley, called "Devil's Alley," because it looks
so terrible."
Stopped at "Colonel Chrassop"[Cresaps located at mouth of So Branch
about 40 miles from Polks) who offered to sell him some land. Met
Abraham Degart (Decker?) of Bateson Creek (Patterson Creek). Then
went up the South Branch. Had to climb a terrible mountain and came
to Daniel Onar's (Eng.), then to Kasselman's (German) - 3 miles from
South Branch River and got a horse from (John) Collins. Stayed at
Matthaes Jochem (mouth of South Fork) which he used as base to visit
other families. "On April 1, Matthaes Jochem gave me his son to
accompany me forty-five miles over the high southern mountains,
between South Branch and the "Chanador" (Shenandoah). The way was
difficult to find and hard to keep, because it had not been used for
many years. It was overgrown with trees and blocked by stones and
thus hardly recognizable. We kept a certain course and...we traveled
thirty miles before we found a house."(English) Also lodged in a "very
disorderly, wicked and godless house of an Irishman, who kept an inn."
Crossed the "Chanador", which was deep, cold and had a rapid current.
1748- VMHB 1279ff.
[This appears to be recommended route]
"From Jonathon Haeger's to Colonel Chrassop's where the North Branch
of the Patowmak is crossed to enter Virginia is a distance of some
seventy miles, mostly over mountains. In the first thirty miles to
Charly Poak (Polk)s (the Indian trader) one meets a house now and
then, but for the last 40 miles ...(from Polk's to Cresap's) no house
nor water can be found." If one starts at Poaks at 300 and takes a
guide to find the right path for the first few miles, he could easily
reach Cresap's without having to spend night.
Route to Cresap's "Without finding a house and across many mountains,
the High German, the Fifteen Mile Crick and three other cricks...35
miles" . "The road is a single narrow path, frequently hardly
recognizable, partly because traveling is not very frequent there, and
partly because the path is blocked with trees and overgrown with grass
and weeds. A person has to be very careful lest he take a cow
path....Thus the journey across the fearfully extended mountains might
be made much easier and the night lodging in the valley or on
mountains, which are both very unhealthy places, could be avoided."
(George Washington described same road thus "I believe y. Worst Road
that ever was trod by Man or Beast.")
"As soon as the Patowmak is crossed it is necessary to inquire for a
certain German, named Oliver Cramer" (living on "Bateson's"-
Patterson's Creek--later killed by Indians) ....He lives about fifteen
miles from Colonel Chrassop." 7 mile from there was Degart's and
beyond his brother (William and Abraham Degart). Two miles from
Degart's was Solomon Hedge's, the justice of the district who could
"best show the way up the South Fork, where Matthaes Jochim
lives....surprisingly many Germans live there and as it is a large
district.
Vol 11116ff - 1749
From PA to Monocacy and Fredericktown, MD to Jonathon Haeger in
Hagerstown, they traveled on to the Potomac River to home of Indian
trader, Charley Poak ("Carl Bock") . Traveled 35 miles next day with
no houses but "indescribably high mountains" . Had to climb steep
mountains including "German Mountain" through several creeks and
springs near Cumberland and finally came to Col. Cresap's at night.
From there they crossed the Potomac and came to Urban Kraemer (Oliver
Kramer). Crossed South Branch (west to east?) to home of Peter
Peterson, a Hollander. Traveled up South Branch whole day, unable to
find a place to lodge. Mountains to west. (Editor thinks road from
Cresap's went SE from Patterson Creek to Springfield crossing South
Branch at Hanging Rocks. If Cresap's was near Oldtown at mouth of
South Branch, why would they travel all the way to mouth of Patterson
Creek then back to South Branch? And would they not mention Patterson
Creek here? Perhaps they went to Patterson Creek but came right down
South Branch valley south from Oldtown, passing mountains on their
"right" i.e. west or River Mtn.) Passed no house for 12 miles. Spent
night with "Henry Brumeter" (Van Meter) and wife, who had recently
escaped a flood by climbing on barn which was carried away by river.
Accidently met John Becker/Baker who had run away from Minisinks via
Shamokin to the South Branch.
Preached at Matthias Joachim and from there they continued journey up
South Branch, spent night with Michael Ernst (Harness?) and traveled
along South Branch through Gap next day. Visited wife's aunt's family
(Her name was Brown) who'd also been flooded so that family with 6
children had to climb tree to spend night.
Above the Gap (near Petersburg, stayed with George Zeh then returned
to Yoakums on South Fork and on to Michael Stump's where they spent
night. Met old Swiss, Anton Richert, and went to house of the father
of one of their congregation in Bethlehem, Peter Rith (Reed). Spent
night with Rogert Dayer. (15 miles from Reager and Reed (8 miles
without a house). Had to cross South Fork several times then came to
several German Families. Stayed with Michael Probst, from Cohenzy.
2. A Harness-Yoakum family tradition based on comments made in
letters written by great granddaughter Helen Yoakum Black in 1872 and
1873 states they came from PA by way of Capon Mt. to the South Branch
Valley.
3. George Yoakum, a grandson of Matthias Yoakum, states in Draper
Mss. 12CC #9
"My grandfather, Matthias Yocum, Michael Harness, and GeoStump, were
the 1st 3 men that ever bro't waggons down to the South Branch. They
came by way of Winchester; then up Big-Capon; Lost River; and to the
mountain. Crossing over the mountain, they came to the south fork of
the south-Branch. Grandfather Yocum settled about a half a mile from
the mouth of (the) South-fork. "
Whether or not this was first trip in or subsequent trip to get
wagons, I can't say.
4. Finally we know about an early road within the South Branch Valley
from a 1742 Orange County Road Petition signed by residents of the
South Branch "From John Cos place on ye sd branch called Hayard's Town
Down ye sd branch to John Uptons Mill and from thence ye nearest and
Best Way to ye North river of Cap Capon and thence ye nearest and Best
Way to James Codys ford on Great Cap Capon into ye other road...."
Apparently the South Branch Road probably ran from Petersburg
("Hayard's Town"-which I interpret as Hyer who lived at Mill Creek in
today's Petersburg-Grant Co) along the South Branch River to
Moorefield (Hardy Co) north to Upton's Mill and across to Caudy's on
the Cacapon . Cecil O'Dell's book "Pioneers of Old Frederick Co, VA"
attempts to locate this early road as followsExiting Capon Bridge, WV,
the road ran north on or near Hampshire Co Highway 15, along west side
of Cacapon River. (Road between Winchester and Romney) Turn west east
of Cold Spring, WV. Continued west for about 1.5 miles then proceed
to Northriver Mills, WV on Hampshire Co High 45/20 across the North
River. Road ran along Hampshire Co Highway 45/6 north of Gibbons Run.
Then it entered Hampshire Co Highway 50/10, next 50/9 and proceeded
into Frenchburg, WV on Highway 50. It ran along Highway 50 from Capon
Bridge, WV to Hanging Rock to Pleasant Dale to Augusta and then to
Frenchburg and from there to Shanks, WV. At Romney, continued on or
near Highway 50 across the South Branch and along Mill Creek to
Junction, WV. it then ran south along Mill Creek on or near US
Highway 220/1736 Indian Warrior Road to Old Fields, WV and finally to
Moorefield. From there it followed the river to Petersburg. (pp
537-39)
On p. 517, he states "Morgans Road" was that section of the "Indian
Road" (north from Winchester between Opequon Creek and Apple Pie
Ridge) which ran from Winchester north to Morgan Morgan's ...land
located about two miles west of Bunker Hill, West VA....When Angus
McDonald received his 31 acre 12 March 1774 Fairfax grant, the road
was called the "South Branch Road." (Potomac River) At this point the
"Morgan Road" and Apple Pie Ridge Road/Frederick Co Highway 739 were
united....The "South Branch Road (Apple Pie Ridge Road) diverged to
the northwest at McDonald's land and crossed Thomas Lemen's...land"
I was able to follow it pretty well on a plain old road map since he
kindly gave various road numbers. At what point this road crossed the
mountains into the Shenandoah Valley, I'm somewhat confused about!
Other clues would be the location of Indian trails through the area,
especially those connecting with the major Indian Road that later was
known as the "Great Wagon Road" or the "Warriors Road" between PA and
NC.
Sara Patton
===================================
Flo. Day <mailto:flodon@virginia.usa.com.>
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