Many people have received copies of Professor James Hagy's thesis on the early frontier settlement at Castle's Woods.  It has been a very popular item for those with Virginia ancestry.  What makes the story fun for me is the fact that I was able to locate the good professor thirty-seven years after he wrote the thesis and discuss my 6-great grandfather's participation in it.  Samuel Cowan was killed and scalped by Indians returning to Houston's fort to warn of an impending attack.  According to Hagy,  "This thesis is a narrative account of the frontier settlement of Castle's Woods.  The community is an interesting case study of the ideas of Frederick Jackson Turner regarding the frontier.  Castle's Woods in many ways fits the pattern of the typical frontier community.  Apparently first settled by a long hunter, Castle's Woods, like a magnet, drew westward the classic frontier types, hunters, farmers, speculators, surveyors, artisans, and preachers.  Even some aristocrates settled there.  The usual frontier customs and activities were observed in the community.  These included a considerable amount of lawlessness.  The greatest problem for the settlers in Castle's Woods was the Indians who were a menace from the time of the first settlement until nearly the end of the eighteenth century.  After the Indian problem had been eliminated, the frontier stage quickly passed away... A large amount of primary materials were used in this study.  The most important sources were county records, state archives, national archives, and the Draper Manuscripts."  The importance of Castle's Woods is twofold.  First, it had its day of importance as a stepping stone to the West.  Secondly, it is important as a case study of the American frontier.  It was the first permanent settlement in Russell county, Virginia, founded in 1769 and located on the Clinch River. What this thesis does not have is an INDEX.  So I spent the better part of a day extracting ALL the names in the thesis and made an index.  It contains about 175 names so I will not fill up your e-mail with a complete list but if you want the index simply e-mail me and request it.  It is yours for the asking.  If you don't have a copy of the thesis you should get one. Regards, Robert Cowan 525 Harrogate Rd. Matthews, North Carolina 28105 cscunc@aol.com

Barbara, Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the CD. The URL for the website that describes it is http://www.mounet.com/~echo/ppp.htm Tell Tom, that all the info. he needs is there. I have found (I believe), the site of Alley's Mill (late 1790's). As you recall, it was just above Nickelsville on Big Branch (now called Jessee's Branch). Some of the footers and race-way are still visible. I plan to take a picture of the area and would be glad to make it available to anyone interested. Say hi to everyone. Danny

Dear Group, Several people have contacted me with interest in pictures from the region. Since Yahoo only allows enough space for 1 - 2 pictures as attachments, it would be easier for you to navigate to www.scarlet.org (then click on the Tourism Button - behind which you will find many pictures from across the S.W. Va. region). You might also be interested in the Free Historical Timeline of the area available at: http://www.mounet.com/~echo/ppp.htm Hope this helps in your quest to discover more about our beautiful area and remarkable ancestors. Danny Dixon Echoes From the Past

Hello, Can someone look up a marriage between Alf Smith and Dora. According to 1900 Census they married ca 1888. The census states he was a telegraph line man. Also a death record for Adiran Smith who possibley died between 1890-1900. Thank you, Clara __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want. http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools