Lecture Notes: West Virginia History and Appalachian Subcultures - Early Exploration and Settlement

Overview

• Focus on early European exploration and settlement in "Old Virginia," now West Virginia.
• Europeans, especially English and French, pushed westward from the east coast.
• Important assignments include a documentary linked to the textbook and a short video.

Key Historical Figures and Movements

• George Washington: Notable character related to Virginia.
• Berkeley and Byrd: English aristocrats promoting exploration into the colonies.
• Knights of the Golden Horseshoe: Sponsored by Berkeley, involved in exploring what becomes West Virginia.
• First Explorer: Lederer (likely German) was among the first to explore the mountainous regions.

Geographic Regions of Old Virginia

• Tidewater: East Coast, first settlers, e.g., Jamestown.
• Piedmont: Flat areas, future plantations, e.g., Richmond.
• Mountainous Frontier: Future West Virginia, explored by the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe.

Cultural and Historical Context

• Virginia vs. West Virginia: Longstanding cultural and political tensions between eastern and western regions.
• Recent Developments: Attempts to shift regional governance/representation.

European Interests and Conflict

• English Goals: Explore and settle to claim land.
• French Goals: Compete with the English, fur trading, less permanent settlement.
• French and Indian War: Part of larger conflicts over land claims.

Explorations and Claims

• French Explorer LaSalle: Notable explorer internationally.
• Celeron de Blainville: Left lead plates claiming French presence in the Ohio Valley.
• English vs. French Settlements: English built towns; French focused on fur trade.

Future Topics

• Continuation of people entering the area and diverse settlements beyond English and French.

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These notes cover the lecture's main themes and historical context, focusing on the early European exploration and settlement in the area that became West Virginia.

Exploration and Settlement Lecture Notes

Settlement in Western Regions

• Transition from exploration to settlement
• Focus on English and French conflicts over western territory
• Other groups also involved, but not claiming land for countries
  • Dutch, Swiss, Swedish among others

Motivations for Moving West

• Land Ownership: Desire for own land, cheaper in the west
  • East has expensive land; squatting possible in Virginia for less money
  • Government incentives to settle western regions
• Avoidance: Some seek isolation
  • Avoid government, tax collectors, personal reasons
• Wanderlust: Desire to explore beyond civilization
  • Cultural trait of seeking new frontiers

Other European Settlers

• Dutch displaced by English, move from New Amsterdam to New York, then west
• Swiss and Swedish in Delaware also move westward
• Constant push for new frontiers as part of American character

Settlement Encouragement

• Governor Spotswood (1716): Sent settlers to western Virginia
  • "Knights of the Golden Horseshoe"
  • Included wealthier, chosen individuals
• Morgan Morgan: First documented settler (debated)
  • Arrived around 1726-1730
  • Difficulties in settling (geographic, psychological, survival challenges)

Land Laws and Speculation

• Speculators bought large land tracts, sold to settlers
• Government aimed to relocate families outside Virginia
  • Avoid economic impact on eastern Virginia
• Families received ~1000 acres west of Blue Ridge
  • Requirement: Stay for two years
• Infrastructure needs: Roads, markets, settlements

Diverse Immigration

• Recruited settlers from other colonies and Europe
  • Immigrants from Germany, British Isles (Scottish, Irish)
  • Many come due to discontent with English rule
• Common backgrounds: Irish, Scottish in Virginia

Land and Agriculture

• Land cheap (~3 pounds/acre), but challenging to cultivate
  • More husbandry, orchards than crops
  • Comparable land policies in Maryland, Pennsylvania
• Agricultural Shift: From crops to livestock and orchards
  • Drovers managed herds
  • Limited tobacco or corn farming

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These notes summarize key points from the lecture on exploration and settlement in western regions, highlighting the motivations, the process, and the diverse groups involved in the westward expansion during the colonial period.

Lecture Notes on Farmland and Colonial History

Characteristics of Farmland

• Farmland discussed is different from flat farmland.
• Suitable for animal grazing due to good grass and flora.
• Prolific soil supports trees and berries.
• Not typical of large farms focused on crops like wheat.

Colonial Settlements and Development

• Eastern Panhandle Settlements:

  • Early settlers started in the eastern panhandle region.
  • Known for the Fairfax Proprietary and Fairfax Stone.
  • This region was the entry point to western areas before expanding into the Ohio Valley.

• Virginia and the Southern Colonies:

  • Virginia considered northernmost of the southern colonies.
  • Maryland's position as a southern colony was debated.

• Charles II and Proprietary Colonies:

  • Charles II rewarded supporters with land grants in North America.
  • Proprietary colonies included areas like East and West Jersey (New Jersey) and Georgia.
  • Land given to Lord Fairfax led to the establishment of the Fairfax Proprietary.
  • Fairfax claimed more land than entitled, leading to lawsuits and disputes.

Economic and Social Systems

• Manorial System:

  • Fairfax implemented a feudal, manorial system in the eastern panhandle.
  • Residents accepted the system due to familiarity from England.

• Forest Economy:

  • Region relied on orchards and animal farming.
  • Cultural and economic ties between eastern and western regions of Virginia were initially strong.
  • Geographic isolation led to growing tension over time, culminating in the Civil War.

English and French Colonial Tensions

• Colonial Rivalry:

  • Long-standing conflict between English and French extended to global colonies.
  • They sought allies and influence in empires like Spanish and Austrian.

• Colonial Expansion:

  • English followed European settlement patterns, focusing on villages and cities.
  • French focused on fur trading, with young men (courier de bois) in northern America.
  • French settlements were mainly forts for trading and defense.
  • French allied more with Native Americans compared to English settlers.

• Settlements and Cultural Differences:

  • French did not establish permanent settlements, unlike the English.
  • Attempts to settle French families were too late as English settlements proliferated.

Upcoming Topics

• Chapter 3 Preview:
  • Focus on English and French conflicts in what is now West Virginia.
  • Emphasis on the unexpected level of historical conflict in the region.