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 Mc Donald 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

Great job ,thank you.r ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sara Patton" <sarap@widomaker.com> To: <WVHAMPSH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, August 21, 2000 14 59 PM Subject: [WVHAMPSH-L] Migration Routes to South Branch Valley 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 Mc Donald 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