Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Day Four: The Appalachian Stereotype
Appalachia's history as a mountainous melting pot dates to before the Revolutionary War, when the region's misty crags were an almost impenetrable Western frontier. Indian nations, including Cherokee and Shawnee, were the first to inhabit the area. A major wave of European settlers — primarily of Irish and Scottish descent — arrived via federal land grants in the early 18th century. African-Americans, both free and enslaved, arrived at this time as well. All these groups played key roles in shaping and molding the cultural traditions of the region. But the region is not comprised of only the descendants of the Scots and Irish that came here in the 1700's.
African-Americans made up more than 10 percent of the region's population by 1860, with Appalachia's ethnic profile shifting dramatically as multiracial families boomed. (Later, those with blended Scots-Irish, Native American and African-American roots would come to be known as Melungeons.)
In the years following the Civil War, former slaves migrated north to the region to escape the persecution of the Deep South. In Eastern Kentucky, Berea College opened its doors in 1867 to students of all races, with the first year's class totaling 187 students: 96 African-American and 91 white.
The coal crescendo during the early part of the 20th century brought in even greater diversity, with tens of thousands of Hungarian, Italian and Eastern European immigrants flocking to the mountains to cash in on booming mining towns. After the Great Depression, many of these immigrants — along with African-American families — moved to urban centers such as Cincinnati and Detroit in pursuit of more stable and less backbreaking work. These pioneers were some of the first to create "urban Appalachian" enclaves, spreading the traditions of an isolated region to metropolitan areas across the Midwest.
However the stereotype (the largely accepted presumption) of Appalachians as backwards, and unintelligent continues. Mass media, movies and books poke full at Appalachians and unfairly portray them.
Much, though, has been done to counter these stereotypes though books, music, and highlighting the many positive attributes of Appalachians
African-Americans made up more than 10 percent of the region's population by 1860, with Appalachia's ethnic profile shifting dramatically as multiracial families boomed. (Later, those with blended Scots-Irish, Native American and African-American roots would come to be known as Melungeons.)
In the years following the Civil War, former slaves migrated north to the region to escape the persecution of the Deep South. In Eastern Kentucky, Berea College opened its doors in 1867 to students of all races, with the first year's class totaling 187 students: 96 African-American and 91 white.
The coal crescendo during the early part of the 20th century brought in even greater diversity, with tens of thousands of Hungarian, Italian and Eastern European immigrants flocking to the mountains to cash in on booming mining towns. After the Great Depression, many of these immigrants — along with African-American families — moved to urban centers such as Cincinnati and Detroit in pursuit of more stable and less backbreaking work. These pioneers were some of the first to create "urban Appalachian" enclaves, spreading the traditions of an isolated region to metropolitan areas across the Midwest.
However the stereotype (the largely accepted presumption) of Appalachians as backwards, and unintelligent continues. Mass media, movies and books poke full at Appalachians and unfairly portray them.
Much, though, has been done to counter these stereotypes though books, music, and highlighting the many positive attributes of Appalachians
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| Appalachian State University Even Uses The "Hillbilly" As It's Mascot |
Day Four: Digging Deeper
Coal
As industry in the east grew, cheap and plentiful fuel sources were needed. Coal filled that need. Southwest Virginia's geological make up left large coal deposits in the western most counties, and those same seems run North into the West Virginia coalfields. Coal is labor intensive to mine, and conditions in mines were dangerous. Miners using dynamite would blow small tunnels into the walls of the mines, then carve out the walls into a larger tunnel. Other miners would shovel the coal into carts and those carts would be pulled out of the mines first by mules, then by small steam engines that used coal for power. Coal companies owned everything surrounding the coal mines including the houses the miners lived in. Miners were payed in script only good for buying over priced goods at the company owned store. Miners were also payed poor wages, thus the line in the song "I owe my soul to the company store."
Railroads
Small railroads, then the much larger Clinchfield Railroad opened up the isolated mountains. Used to carry coal, and other natural resources out of Southwest Virginia the railroads were built into the rugged mountains and over the deep valleys. This too was dangerous work, and 200 workers were killed in the process. Railroads also brought culture into the mountains. Rather than building or making everything needed to survive the people of Southwest Virginia could buy essential goods at company stores. This was a costly and lead to the decline of people doing everything in the "old ways"
Other Industries
Other industries besides coal flourished including textiles in Bristol, and chemicals in Saltville. Bristol established itself as a textile hub when several large garment factories located there. Today Pointer Brand Overalls are made in Bristol. Saltville saw the advent of the American chemical industry when Mathison Chemical Company opened there in the 1890's. Overtime Saltville would be the home of Mathison's rocket fuel production plant. As NASA developed the Apollo rockets that would carry man to the moon for the first time, it was Mathison was picked to provide the rocket fuel
The Bristol Sessions
Industrialization also brought the mountain culture many things it did not already have and make the rest of the world aware of its music, people and culture. One of the most noted examples of this is the 1927 Bristol Recording session of The Carter Family (of Maces Spring, Virginia) and Jimmie Rogers by Victor Recording producer Ralph Peer. Those recordings are considered by many to be the "big bang" of country music. For the first time, Appalachian music was mass produced and sold across the country. Prior attempts by students of music like Alan Lomax had recorded mountain music, but for scholarly endeavors.
As industry in the east grew, cheap and plentiful fuel sources were needed. Coal filled that need. Southwest Virginia's geological make up left large coal deposits in the western most counties, and those same seems run North into the West Virginia coalfields. Coal is labor intensive to mine, and conditions in mines were dangerous. Miners using dynamite would blow small tunnels into the walls of the mines, then carve out the walls into a larger tunnel. Other miners would shovel the coal into carts and those carts would be pulled out of the mines first by mules, then by small steam engines that used coal for power. Coal companies owned everything surrounding the coal mines including the houses the miners lived in. Miners were payed in script only good for buying over priced goods at the company owned store. Miners were also payed poor wages, thus the line in the song "I owe my soul to the company store."
Railroads
Small railroads, then the much larger Clinchfield Railroad opened up the isolated mountains. Used to carry coal, and other natural resources out of Southwest Virginia the railroads were built into the rugged mountains and over the deep valleys. This too was dangerous work, and 200 workers were killed in the process. Railroads also brought culture into the mountains. Rather than building or making everything needed to survive the people of Southwest Virginia could buy essential goods at company stores. This was a costly and lead to the decline of people doing everything in the "old ways"
Other Industries
Other industries besides coal flourished including textiles in Bristol, and chemicals in Saltville. Bristol established itself as a textile hub when several large garment factories located there. Today Pointer Brand Overalls are made in Bristol. Saltville saw the advent of the American chemical industry when Mathison Chemical Company opened there in the 1890's. Overtime Saltville would be the home of Mathison's rocket fuel production plant. As NASA developed the Apollo rockets that would carry man to the moon for the first time, it was Mathison was picked to provide the rocket fuel
The Bristol Sessions
Industrialization also brought the mountain culture many things it did not already have and make the rest of the world aware of its music, people and culture. One of the most noted examples of this is the 1927 Bristol Recording session of The Carter Family (of Maces Spring, Virginia) and Jimmie Rogers by Victor Recording producer Ralph Peer. Those recordings are considered by many to be the "big bang" of country music. For the first time, Appalachian music was mass produced and sold across the country. Prior attempts by students of music like Alan Lomax had recorded mountain music, but for scholarly endeavors.
Day Four: Fast Facts
As industry in the east grew, cheap and plentiful fuel sources were needed. Coal filled that need.
Small railroads, then the much larger Clinchfield Railroad opened up the isolated mountains
Other industries besides coal flourished including textiles in Bristol, and chemicals in Saltville
Industrialization also brought the mountain culture many things it did not already have and make the rest of the world aware of its music, people and culture
Small railroads, then the much larger Clinchfield Railroad opened up the isolated mountains
Other industries besides coal flourished including textiles in Bristol, and chemicals in Saltville
Industrialization also brought the mountain culture many things it did not already have and make the rest of the world aware of its music, people and culture
Day Four: Homework
For Tomorrow Think Of The Following
1) 3 Negative effects of the Appalachian stereotype
2) 3 Positive effects of the Appalachian stereotype
3) Ways you have been effected by the Appalachian stereotype
1) 3 Negative effects of the Appalachian stereotype
2) 3 Positive effects of the Appalachian stereotype
3) Ways you have been effected by the Appalachian stereotype
Day Four: The Clinchfield RNR
As You Watch This Video Answer The Following Questions?
1) What is the structure of the coal fields
2) What is the infrastructure of the coal fields?
3) What is the superstructure of the coal fields?
1) What is the structure of the coal fields
2) What is the infrastructure of the coal fields?
3) What is the superstructure of the coal fields?
Primary Source: Tennessee Ernie Ford "Owe My Soul To Company Store"
Born in Bristol, Tennessee, to Clarence Thomas Ford and Maud Long, Tennessee ErnieFord began his radio career as an announcer at WOPI-AM in Bristol, Tennessee.
Ford scored an unexpected hit on the pop charts in 1955 with his rendering of "Sixteen Tons", a sparsely arranged coal-miner's lament, that Merle Travis first recorded in 1946 reflecting his own family's experience in the mines of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. The song's authorship has been claimed by both Travis and George S. Davis. Its fatalistic tone contrasted vividly with the sugary pop ballads and rock & roll just starting to dominate the charts at the time:
You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt.
Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go;
I owe my soul to the company store..
1) What do you think Ernie Ford means when he said he "owe my soul to the company store?"
2)Why do you think people would continue to owe their souls to the company store?
3) What, if anything, might save people from owing their soul to the company store?
Ford scored an unexpected hit on the pop charts in 1955 with his rendering of "Sixteen Tons", a sparsely arranged coal-miner's lament, that Merle Travis first recorded in 1946 reflecting his own family's experience in the mines of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. The song's authorship has been claimed by both Travis and George S. Davis. Its fatalistic tone contrasted vividly with the sugary pop ballads and rock & roll just starting to dominate the charts at the time:
You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt.
Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go;
I owe my soul to the company store..
1) What do you think Ernie Ford means when he said he "owe my soul to the company store?"
2)Why do you think people would continue to owe their souls to the company store?
3) What, if anything, might save people from owing their soul to the company store?
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Day Three: Emory & Henry Goes To War
During the presidential campaign of 1860, many Emory and Henry students campaigned on behalf of the Constitutional Union Party, a political refuge for cautious border Whigs and nativists who were intent on preserving slavery but alarmed by the belligerence of fire-eating Democrats and Northern Republicans. One such student was John Bell Brownlow son of William G. Brownlow a noted Unionist from Knoxville, TN. One night after a heated debate in the Calliopean Society about the issues of Civil War, John Brownlow struck a fellow classmate in the head with a stick of firewood in self defense and killed the other boy. The Republican candidate, Abraham Lincoln, was elected and Virginia seceded from the Union, most students set aside their political differences and withdrew from classes in order to join the war effort. The college's president, Ephraim Emerson Wiley, served as a chaplain, ministering to wounded soldiers who were relocated to the college grounds.
The Emory and Henry board of trustees rejected a request to turn the college into barracks for the Washington Mounted Rifles, or Company D of the 1st Virginia Cavalry. Instead, the Confederate government established the Emory Confederate States Hospital, reimbursing the school for use of the grounds and buildings. During this period, the college also earned money by selling supplies to the Confederate quartermaster corps.
Emory and Henry's location in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains kept it isolated from the military campaigns that raged across the Shenandoah Valley and the Piedmont. Still, it was threatened by periodic Union raids targeting the nearby Wytheville lead mines and the salt production facility at Saltville, the latter of which was crucial in provisioning the Confederate army. One such raid in October 1864 resulted in the Battle of Saltville, where outnumbered Confederate cavalry managed to drive back a determined assault led by Union general Stephen G. Burbridge.
More Information on John Bell Brownlow
The Emory and Henry board of trustees rejected a request to turn the college into barracks for the Washington Mounted Rifles, or Company D of the 1st Virginia Cavalry. Instead, the Confederate government established the Emory Confederate States Hospital, reimbursing the school for use of the grounds and buildings. During this period, the college also earned money by selling supplies to the Confederate quartermaster corps.
Emory and Henry's location in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains kept it isolated from the military campaigns that raged across the Shenandoah Valley and the Piedmont. Still, it was threatened by periodic Union raids targeting the nearby Wytheville lead mines and the salt production facility at Saltville, the latter of which was crucial in provisioning the Confederate army. One such raid in October 1864 resulted in the Battle of Saltville, where outnumbered Confederate cavalry managed to drive back a determined assault led by Union general Stephen G. Burbridge.
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| John Bell Browlow |
More Information on Emory & Henry During The Civil War
Day Three: The Legend Of Champ Ferguson
The Facts
The First Battle of Saltville (1 October – 3 October 1864), was fought near the town of Saltville, Virginia, during the American Civil War. The battle was fought by both regular and homeguard Confederate units against regular Union troops, including one of the few black cavalry units, over an important saltworks in the town. The Union troops were led by Brig. Gen. Stephen G. Burbridge.
The battle was a Confederate victory, but it has become better known for a massacre that happened afterward. Irregular guerrilla forces under the notorious Champ Ferguson murdered captured and wounded white and black Union troops.Ferguson was tried after the war in Nashville, Tennessee, for these and other non-military killings, found guilty, and executed.
The Legends
Conflicting stories arise as to where, what and how many Ferguson murdered.
Some say he walked the battlefield murdering soldiers of the 5th United States Colored Cavalry and wounded white soldiers as well
Some say that he rode all the way from Saltville to Emory & Henry College where wounded were being treated and murdered soldiers there
Other still say he rode to the hospital, carried out several murders. Returned to Saltville, only to return the next day to Emory Hospital to murder one more soldier. Legends on the campus of Emory & Henry state that this second killing was his own brother, though no records can confirm this.
Which ever story you believe, it was proven that Ferguson committed murders after the Battle of Saltville and he was executed for his crime making him one of only two Confederates to be executed for war crimes after the Civil War.
More Information on Champ Ferguson
http://home.comcast.net/~5thuscc/massacr.htm
http://www.historynet.com/champ-ferguson-an-american-civil-war-rebel-guerrilla.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/1865/10/29/news/champ-ferguson-confession-culprit-killing-reuben-wood-killing-frogg-saltsville.html?pagewanted=2
The First Battle of Saltville (1 October – 3 October 1864), was fought near the town of Saltville, Virginia, during the American Civil War. The battle was fought by both regular and homeguard Confederate units against regular Union troops, including one of the few black cavalry units, over an important saltworks in the town. The Union troops were led by Brig. Gen. Stephen G. Burbridge.
The battle was a Confederate victory, but it has become better known for a massacre that happened afterward. Irregular guerrilla forces under the notorious Champ Ferguson murdered captured and wounded white and black Union troops.Ferguson was tried after the war in Nashville, Tennessee, for these and other non-military killings, found guilty, and executed.
The Legends
Conflicting stories arise as to where, what and how many Ferguson murdered.
Some say he walked the battlefield murdering soldiers of the 5th United States Colored Cavalry and wounded white soldiers as well
Some say that he rode all the way from Saltville to Emory & Henry College where wounded were being treated and murdered soldiers there
Other still say he rode to the hospital, carried out several murders. Returned to Saltville, only to return the next day to Emory Hospital to murder one more soldier. Legends on the campus of Emory & Henry state that this second killing was his own brother, though no records can confirm this.
Which ever story you believe, it was proven that Ferguson committed murders after the Battle of Saltville and he was executed for his crime making him one of only two Confederates to be executed for war crimes after the Civil War.
More Information on Champ Ferguson
http://home.comcast.net/~5thuscc/massacr.htm
http://www.historynet.com/champ-ferguson-an-american-civil-war-rebel-guerrilla.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/1865/10/29/news/champ-ferguson-confession-culprit-killing-reuben-wood-killing-frogg-saltsville.html?pagewanted=2
Day Three- Digging Deeper
Slavery In Southwest Virginia
Slavery was not as common in Southwest Virginia as it was other places where large scale farms required massive amounts of labor. Most the slaveholders in Southwest Virginia held fewer that 100 slaves, and many only under 10. Slaves were often engaged in small agriculture or rented to larger farmers. If a slave remained with their master and worked it agriculture, the master often worked besides the slave in the field. More often they were used in non-agriculture (not working in the fields).
Brother Against Brother
The issue of slavery (whether states had the right to allow slavery OR the United States success remaining divided) split states, communities, and families across the country, but this problem was especially pronounced in the border states and where slavery was not as prevalent. The most notable case of this occurred May 23, 1862, at the Battle of Front Royal, Capt. William Goldsborough of the Confederate 1st Maryland Infantry captured his brother Charles Goldsborough of the Union 1st Maryland Infantry and took him prisoner. The battle is also notable for being the only time in United States military history that two regiments from the same state with the same numerical designation have engaged each other in battle.
The Civil War In Southwest Virginia
Southwest Virginia did not experience any major engagements during the Civil War, but it provided nessacry support in the way of vital goods. The regions wet limestone caves provided saltpeter which was a major ignition fuel in black power. Lead was mined as well in Southwest Virginia. Maybe most importantly salt was harvested from the Saltville salt marshes. The Confederate States of American felt that Saltville salt was so important that by the end of the war, it was the most heavily fortified installation in the south. Also vital to the South was the only east-west rail line that ran from Lynchburg,VA to Knoxville, TN. Connection lines brought the saltpeter, lead and salt down from the hills and to the main line where it was sent to the troops in the field. Emory & Henry College's Wiley Hall and Byars Hall were used as hospital facilities by the Confederate States to house both Union and Confederate soldiers.
More Information on Slavery In Southwest Virginia
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/wdunaway/publications/virginia.htm
More Information on Brother Against Brother
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/secessionville/secessionville-history-articles/brother-against-brother-at.html
More Information on The Civil War In Southwest Virginia
http://www.ehc.edu/academics/resources/kelly-library/library-news/2013/10/library-101-emory-henry-civil-war-history/
Slavery was not as common in Southwest Virginia as it was other places where large scale farms required massive amounts of labor. Most the slaveholders in Southwest Virginia held fewer that 100 slaves, and many only under 10. Slaves were often engaged in small agriculture or rented to larger farmers. If a slave remained with their master and worked it agriculture, the master often worked besides the slave in the field. More often they were used in non-agriculture (not working in the fields).
Brother Against Brother
The issue of slavery (whether states had the right to allow slavery OR the United States success remaining divided) split states, communities, and families across the country, but this problem was especially pronounced in the border states and where slavery was not as prevalent. The most notable case of this occurred May 23, 1862, at the Battle of Front Royal, Capt. William Goldsborough of the Confederate 1st Maryland Infantry captured his brother Charles Goldsborough of the Union 1st Maryland Infantry and took him prisoner. The battle is also notable for being the only time in United States military history that two regiments from the same state with the same numerical designation have engaged each other in battle.
The Civil War In Southwest Virginia
Southwest Virginia did not experience any major engagements during the Civil War, but it provided nessacry support in the way of vital goods. The regions wet limestone caves provided saltpeter which was a major ignition fuel in black power. Lead was mined as well in Southwest Virginia. Maybe most importantly salt was harvested from the Saltville salt marshes. The Confederate States of American felt that Saltville salt was so important that by the end of the war, it was the most heavily fortified installation in the south. Also vital to the South was the only east-west rail line that ran from Lynchburg,VA to Knoxville, TN. Connection lines brought the saltpeter, lead and salt down from the hills and to the main line where it was sent to the troops in the field. Emory & Henry College's Wiley Hall and Byars Hall were used as hospital facilities by the Confederate States to house both Union and Confederate soldiers.
More Information on Slavery In Southwest Virginia
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/wdunaway/publications/virginia.htm
More Information on Brother Against Brother
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/secessionville/secessionville-history-articles/brother-against-brother-at.html
More Information on The Civil War In Southwest Virginia
http://www.ehc.edu/academics/resources/kelly-library/library-news/2013/10/library-101-emory-henry-civil-war-history/
Monday, June 16, 2014
Day Two: Homework
1) Think about at least three things in your life at Summer Scholars that would be different if you lived on the Southwest Virginian frontier
Day One Homework
1) Imagine what the reaction of a Pre-historic Indian, a Spanish Conquistador, and a member of the Thomas Walker expedition would be to being dropped on the campus of Emory & Henry College today
2) Imagine your reaction to being dropped into a Pre-historic Indian tribe, the Spanish explorers trip, or the Thomas Walker Expedition
2) Imagine your reaction to being dropped into a Pre-historic Indian tribe, the Spanish explorers trip, or the Thomas Walker Expedition
Day Two-The Early History of Appalachia
As you watch this video, think about the following
1) What is the structure of the Cherokee people?
2) What is the infrastructure of the Cherokee people?
3) what is the superstructure of the Cherokee people?
1) What is the structure of the Cherokee people?
2) What is the infrastructure of the Cherokee people?
3) what is the superstructure of the Cherokee people?
Day Two- The Battle of Kings Mountain
In 1780, the Revolutionary War moved to the Southern states. British authorities believed that many citizens in this region remained loyal to King George III and would rally to fight alongside an invading British force against the Patriot rebels. After Charles Town fell to the British invaders on May 12, General Sir Henry Clinton, commander of the British forces in the American Colonies, ordered his second-in-command, General Lord Charles Cornwallis, to march his army inland through the Carolinas and into Virginia.
Cornwallis’ army began moving northward across South Carolina toward the small community of Charlotte. Major Patrick Ferguson protected Cornwallis’ left flank during the advance. Ferguson was a soldier’s soldier, determined and disciplined
From Gilbert Town, an aggravated Patrick Ferguson sent a message to the elusive Overmountain Men: “If you do not desist your opposition to the British Arms, I shall march this army over the mountains, hang your leaders, and lay waste your country with fire and sword.”
Leaders called for a mustering of militia units from throughout the overmountain region and beyond. They sent express riders north and east calling upon Arthur Campbell and William Campbell to muster Virginians from the Holston Valley. They called for a muster on September 25 at Sycamore Shoals, adjacent to Fort Watauga in today’s Elizabethton, Tennessee.
Colonel William Campbell arrived with 400 Virginians, half from his cousin’s command. These Virginians came on a two-day ride from their muster along Wolf Creek in today’s Abingdon, Virginia.
Growing day by day to some one thousand strong in number, the militiamen prepared to cross the mountains, committed in their pursuit of the man who had threatened to invade their homeland: Major Patrick Ferguson.
This video will tell the rest of the story
For More Information About The Overmountian Men
http://www.historynet.com/the-overmountain-men-battle-for-the-carolinas.htm
http://www.hswcv.org/history.html
Cornwallis’ army began moving northward across South Carolina toward the small community of Charlotte. Major Patrick Ferguson protected Cornwallis’ left flank during the advance. Ferguson was a soldier’s soldier, determined and disciplined
From Gilbert Town, an aggravated Patrick Ferguson sent a message to the elusive Overmountain Men: “If you do not desist your opposition to the British Arms, I shall march this army over the mountains, hang your leaders, and lay waste your country with fire and sword.”
Leaders called for a mustering of militia units from throughout the overmountain region and beyond. They sent express riders north and east calling upon Arthur Campbell and William Campbell to muster Virginians from the Holston Valley. They called for a muster on September 25 at Sycamore Shoals, adjacent to Fort Watauga in today’s Elizabethton, Tennessee.
Colonel William Campbell arrived with 400 Virginians, half from his cousin’s command. These Virginians came on a two-day ride from their muster along Wolf Creek in today’s Abingdon, Virginia.
Growing day by day to some one thousand strong in number, the militiamen prepared to cross the mountains, committed in their pursuit of the man who had threatened to invade their homeland: Major Patrick Ferguson.
This video will tell the rest of the story
For More Information About The Overmountian Men
http://www.historynet.com/the-overmountain-men-battle-for-the-carolinas.htm
http://www.hswcv.org/history.html
Day Two- Fast Facts
Fast Facts- Write These In Your Notes
Settlers lived hard lives on the frontier. Most of what they needed to survive had to be brought with them as they traveled, made by hand on the frontier or traded for.
Indian attacks were prevalent and added to the struggle of the settlers
Frontier houses were simple and often dangerous leaving settlers to adapt how their homes were built.
The Overmountain Men of Washington County, Virginia helped turn the tide at the Battle of Kings Mountain and defeat the British flank during the Revolutionary War
Review From Yesterday
Pre-Clovis people hunted the animals attracted to the salt marshes in Saltville Valley
Spanish explore Southwest Virginia looking for the Three Gs: Gold, God, Glory
Dr. Thomas Walker surveys Southwest Virginia to map out the border between Virginia and North Carolina. He also surveys tracts of land to be sold to settlers east of present day Roanoke.
Settlers move into the frontier of Southwest Virginia in search of cheap land. With them comes the spread of Methodism to the new lands.
History-recording, and analyzing of the past through primary and secondary sources
Primary Source- written at the time of the event
Secondary Source- written as a summary of primary sources
Pre-history-Information that pre-dates the written word gleaned from archaeological study
Structure- What people are doing. How do they make a living
Infrastructure- Who has power in the community.
Superstructure- What people believe
Settlers lived hard lives on the frontier. Most of what they needed to survive had to be brought with them as they traveled, made by hand on the frontier or traded for.
Indian attacks were prevalent and added to the struggle of the settlers
Frontier houses were simple and often dangerous leaving settlers to adapt how their homes were built.
The Overmountain Men of Washington County, Virginia helped turn the tide at the Battle of Kings Mountain and defeat the British flank during the Revolutionary War
Review From Yesterday
Pre-Clovis people hunted the animals attracted to the salt marshes in Saltville Valley
Spanish explore Southwest Virginia looking for the Three Gs: Gold, God, Glory
Dr. Thomas Walker surveys Southwest Virginia to map out the border between Virginia and North Carolina. He also surveys tracts of land to be sold to settlers east of present day Roanoke.
Settlers move into the frontier of Southwest Virginia in search of cheap land. With them comes the spread of Methodism to the new lands.
History-recording, and analyzing of the past through primary and secondary sources
Primary Source- written at the time of the event
Secondary Source- written as a summary of primary sources
Pre-history-Information that pre-dates the written word gleaned from archaeological study
Structure- What people are doing. How do they make a living
Infrastructure- Who has power in the community.
Superstructure- What people believe
Day Two: Frontier Forts
The actual military defense of Virginia's extreme western frontier did not begin, on a large scale, until the spring prior to the outbreak of Dunmore's War in the fall of 1774, more commonly referred to as the Point Pleasant Campaign.
There were seven of the original forts erected in compliance with Lord Dunmore's order, four on the lower Clinch River under Captain William Russell's militia command, and three on the upper Clinch River under the militia command of Captain Daniel Smith. These forts were erected by the settlers as a means of protection for the locals living in the area. The seven original forts were: Fort Preston in Upper Castlewood, Russell County, Fort Christian, between Dickensonville and Lebanon, Russell County, Moore's Fort in Castlewood, Blackmore's Fort, at the mouth of Stoney Creek in Scott County. Elk Garden Fort in Scott County, Witten's Fort near Tazewell, and Maiden Springs Station, located on the branch of the Clinch River near Tazewell. There were other forts built a few years later in the southwestern part of Virginia. They included: Daniel Smith's Fort in Lebanon, New Garden Station, in Russell County, Tate's Fort, on Moccasin Creek in Russell County, Rye Cove Fort, in Rye Cove. Carter's Fort, also in Rye Cove, Houston's Fort and the Kilgore Fort in Scott County.
http://www.swvamuseum.org/cherokee.html
Primary Source: The Killing of Chief Benge and The Recapture Of White Captives
Life on the frontier was hard. Added to this danger was the near constant threat of Indian attacks. One of the most feared Indians in Southwest Virginia was Chief Robert Benge. Born around 1760 in the Cherokee village of Togue, possibly on the Little Ta ni si river, Bob Benge - also called Captain Benge and The Bench - was the son of a Scottish trader John Benge and a full blood Cherokee named Wurtah. On April 6, 1794 Benge, and his band of frontier marauders entered the quiet little settlement fifteen miles west of the present town of Abingdon and attacked the home of Peter Livingston. At the time Peter and his brother Henry were out on the farm and the women folk, children and a few slaves were in or near the house. Benge and his raiders captured Elizabeth Livingston and the party fled as far as the foot of Stone's Mountain in Lee County. There they were ambushed by a band led by Lieutenant Vincent Hobbs and Benge was killed. The following is Elizabeth Livingston recounting of the ambush.
The Killing of Chief Benge
April 9. After traveling about five miles, which was over Powell's Mountain and near the foot of Stone Mountain, a party of 13 men, under command of Lieutenant Vincent Hobbs, of the militia of Lee County, met the enemy in front, attacked and killed Benge the first fire. I was at that time some distance off in the rear. The Indian who was my guard at first halted on hearing the firing. He, then, ordered me to run, which I performed slowly. He, then, attempted to strike me in the head with the tomahawk, which I defended as well as I could with my arm. By this time two of our people came in view, which encouraged me to struggle all I could. The Indian at this instant pushed me backward; and I fell over a log, at the same time aiming a violent blow at my head, which in part spent its force on me and laid me out for dead. The first thing I afterward remembered was my good friends around me giving me all the assistance in their power for my relief. They told me I was senseless for about an hour.
1) Why do you think Indians in Southwest Virginia would have resented and attacked the settlers?
2) What do you think the settlers could have done to prevented attacks or at least made them less likely?
For More Information About Chief Benge
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vaschs2/chief_benge.htm
http://donchesnut.com/genealogy/pages/bobbenge.htm
The Killing of Chief Benge
April 9. After traveling about five miles, which was over Powell's Mountain and near the foot of Stone Mountain, a party of 13 men, under command of Lieutenant Vincent Hobbs, of the militia of Lee County, met the enemy in front, attacked and killed Benge the first fire. I was at that time some distance off in the rear. The Indian who was my guard at first halted on hearing the firing. He, then, ordered me to run, which I performed slowly. He, then, attempted to strike me in the head with the tomahawk, which I defended as well as I could with my arm. By this time two of our people came in view, which encouraged me to struggle all I could. The Indian at this instant pushed me backward; and I fell over a log, at the same time aiming a violent blow at my head, which in part spent its force on me and laid me out for dead. The first thing I afterward remembered was my good friends around me giving me all the assistance in their power for my relief. They told me I was senseless for about an hour.
1) Why do you think Indians in Southwest Virginia would have resented and attacked the settlers?
2) What do you think the settlers could have done to prevented attacks or at least made them less likely?
For More Information About Chief Benge
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vaschs2/chief_benge.htm
http://donchesnut.com/genealogy/pages/bobbenge.htm
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Day Three- Fast Facts
From any angle you wish to look, the issue of slavery caused the Civil War
Southern Northern
States rights to allow slavery Country could not continue half free, half slave
This issue divided states, communities, and families especially in places like Southwest Virginia.
Southwest Virginia did not experience any major battles but railroad junctures,salt manufacturing in Saltville, and the large buildings at Emory & Henry College played critical roles in the war.
 |
| Saltville Saltworks |
 |
| Emory & Henry As It Was Around The Civil War |
Primary Source: Brother Against Brother Photographs
|
| Brothers Edward Jonas (Union Soldier) and Charles H. Jonas (Confederate Soldier). |
Brothers George Bibb Crittenden (Confederate Soldier) and Thomas Leonidas Crittenden (Union Soldier)
Questions
1) Why do you think these brothers would have fought against each other during the Civil War?
2) What cause could see yourself fighting a war against a member of your family over? Could you even fight a war over something if your family disagreed with the other side?
Day Two-Assessment
3-2-1
On the note care I give you write the following
3- things you learned today
2- of the most interesting things
1- thing you still want to learn more about
On the note care I give you write the following
3- things you learned today
2- of the most interesting things
1- thing you still want to learn more about
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Day Two- Frontier Life
Life was hard on the frontier of Southwest Virginia. Everything was done by hand. Lacking access to manifactured goods, settlers made what they needed or did without. Food was cooked over a fire in poorly ventilated fireplaces leaving the cabins smokey. Water was brought by hand from a well or nearby spring. Crops from the fields or trade for were dried or preserved with salt and stored where rodents could not get to them.
Any furniture the settlers had would have had to been brought with them, traded for, or most often built by hand.
Beds were a rarity. Often fronteir families slept on the ground or straw spread out on the floor. Even if a family had a bed it was often shared by the entire family. These beds featured rope slats that would have to be tightened occasionally, giving us the phrase "sleep tight." Again straw was used to make the mattresses
Food was sparse and the settlers diet consisted of what could be grown, traded for, or hunted. In Southwest Virginia that meant mostly corn and few vegetables. Lacking proper nuetrients settlers often suffered from tooth loose, and bones breaks
Any furniture the settlers had would have had to been brought with them, traded for, or most often built by hand.
Beds were a rarity. Often fronteir families slept on the ground or straw spread out on the floor. Even if a family had a bed it was often shared by the entire family. These beds featured rope slats that would have to be tightened occasionally, giving us the phrase "sleep tight." Again straw was used to make the mattresses
Food was sparse and the settlers diet consisted of what could be grown, traded for, or hunted. In Southwest Virginia that meant mostly corn and few vegetables. Lacking proper nuetrients settlers often suffered from tooth loose, and bones breaks
Day Two-Tobias-Smyth Cabin and Early Frontier Cabins
( Since the Tobias Smyth Cabin is in the middle of campus construction, we will take a virtual tour to learn about colonial living in Southwest Virginia)
Who was Tobias Smyth?
Tobias Smyth, a local Methodist layman, made the first gift toward Emory & Henry's financial needs -- a sum of $500 contributed when the college was little more than a dream -- and he served on the Board of Trustees from 1836 until his death. Smyth originally became involved in the founding of Emory & Henry when the Rev. Creed Fulton stopped to return a borrowed horse after having attended the church's annual conference in Abingdon. Fulton had been named the conference agent to assist in founding a college, and, when Smyth learned about Fulton's mission, he became very enthused about the possibility of having the college located in his own community. Smyth recommended a tract of land to Fulton and agreed to make a financial commitment to the cause if that tract were chosen and it was. Smyth family descendants have remained in the area to this present day.
The Tobias Smyth Cabin
Smyth's farm was located about one mile north of the campus, and he was well-known for his generosity in providing bed, board and fresh horses for itinerant Methodist preachers who passed through the area.
The cabin itself had two rooms on the first floor and one large room on he second. The kitchen and dining room make up one room on the second floor and a small study is the second. Smyth and his family slept in the upstairs
Other Examples Of Colonial Houses In Southwest Virginia
One Room Cabins
Most early frontier cabins were one room. This room served as kitchen, dinning room, and living quarters
Two Rooms (Dogtrot or Saddlebags)
Once a family could, they would often add a second room to their cabin but built them several feet apart. Because fires were so prevailent in poorly ventilated chimney's, pioneers would build a kitchen separate from their living quarter to prevent fires from spreading.
| A rare image of Tobias Smyth |
Tobias Smyth, a local Methodist layman, made the first gift toward Emory & Henry's financial needs -- a sum of $500 contributed when the college was little more than a dream -- and he served on the Board of Trustees from 1836 until his death. Smyth originally became involved in the founding of Emory & Henry when the Rev. Creed Fulton stopped to return a borrowed horse after having attended the church's annual conference in Abingdon. Fulton had been named the conference agent to assist in founding a college, and, when Smyth learned about Fulton's mission, he became very enthused about the possibility of having the college located in his own community. Smyth recommended a tract of land to Fulton and agreed to make a financial commitment to the cause if that tract were chosen and it was. Smyth family descendants have remained in the area to this present day.
The Tobias Smyth Cabin
Smyth's farm was located about one mile north of the campus, and he was well-known for his generosity in providing bed, board and fresh horses for itinerant Methodist preachers who passed through the area.
The cabin itself had two rooms on the first floor and one large room on he second. The kitchen and dining room make up one room on the second floor and a small study is the second. Smyth and his family slept in the upstairs
Other Examples Of Colonial Houses In Southwest Virginia
One Room Cabins
Most early frontier cabins were one room. This room served as kitchen, dinning room, and living quarters
Two Rooms (Dogtrot or Saddlebags)
Once a family could, they would often add a second room to their cabin but built them several feet apart. Because fires were so prevailent in poorly ventilated chimney's, pioneers would build a kitchen separate from their living quarter to prevent fires from spreading.
Day One- Digging Deeper
Pre-Clovis Peoples: 14,510 yr BP (Before Present)
At archaeological site SV-2 (Near Saltville, VA), pre-Clovis people appear to have butchered and processed a mastodon.This evidence show that prehistoric people were living in Southwest Virginia in some of the earliest stages of human history. Pre-clovis tribes would stalk into the Saltville valley where the animals would roam to the salt marshes.
Structure- Hunter/ Gatherer
Infrastructure- Chief of small bands. Those will plenty to eat
Superstructure- Gods of nature
Spanish Exploration: Spring of 1567
Spanish exploration in the new world was done for can be called the "Three Gs." God, Gold And Glory. The gold would go to Spain to help the country fight its wars in Europe, God would be spread to the natives, and the Glory would be for the men who helped in these endeavors. A force of 15- 25 men set out from Fort San Juan (near present day Morganton, North Carolina) led by Sargent Hernando Moyano de Morales. Morales' men trek into Southwest Virginia as far as present day Chilhowie or Saltville, VA. On this raid, the Spanish burned the Chisca Indian village of Maniatique. The present day location of Maniatique is debated, but the raids did capture a young girl named Luis Mendez. Mendez described to the Spanish the processes the Indians used to extract the salt from the brine, and where the salt creeks were. Too, Mendez and her husband, Juan De Ridas, would have a child. This child is thought the first person born of European decent in North America.
Structure- Exploring
Infrastructure- Conquistadores with rank.
Superstructure- The Christian God could save the souls of the natives
Dr. Thomas Walker Expedition: Winter and Spring of 1750
For More Information
Pre-Clovis
http://www.virginiaplaces.org/nativeamerican/woodlandindians.html
Spanish Exploration
http://sitemaker.umich.edu/berrysite/files/1997-southeastern_archaeology.pdf
(word search Pardo Expedition. Note: Hernado Moyano de Morales is referred to only as Hernando Moyano)
Thomas Walker Expedition
http://www2.vcdh.virginia.edu/lewisandclark/students/projects/adventurers/walkerbio.html
Settlers
https://dcms.lds.org/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE190404
http://www.danielboonetrail.com/historicalsites.php?id=85
At archaeological site SV-2 (Near Saltville, VA), pre-Clovis people appear to have butchered and processed a mastodon.This evidence show that prehistoric people were living in Southwest Virginia in some of the earliest stages of human history. Pre-clovis tribes would stalk into the Saltville valley where the animals would roam to the salt marshes.
Structure- Hunter/ Gatherer
Infrastructure- Chief of small bands. Those will plenty to eat
Superstructure- Gods of nature
Spanish Exploration: Spring of 1567
Spanish exploration in the new world was done for can be called the "Three Gs." God, Gold And Glory. The gold would go to Spain to help the country fight its wars in Europe, God would be spread to the natives, and the Glory would be for the men who helped in these endeavors. A force of 15- 25 men set out from Fort San Juan (near present day Morganton, North Carolina) led by Sargent Hernando Moyano de Morales. Morales' men trek into Southwest Virginia as far as present day Chilhowie or Saltville, VA. On this raid, the Spanish burned the Chisca Indian village of Maniatique. The present day location of Maniatique is debated, but the raids did capture a young girl named Luis Mendez. Mendez described to the Spanish the processes the Indians used to extract the salt from the brine, and where the salt creeks were. Too, Mendez and her husband, Juan De Ridas, would have a child. This child is thought the first person born of European decent in North America.
Structure- Exploring
Infrastructure- Conquistadores with rank.
Superstructure- The Christian God could save the souls of the natives
Dr. Thomas Walker Expedition: Winter and Spring of 1750
On July 12, 1749, the Loyal Land Company was founded with Dr. Thomas Walker as a leading member. At the age of 64, Walker would journey to the western areas of Kentucky and Tennessee to map out the border between Virginia and North Carolina westward. This controversial mapped border would forever bear the title of the "Walker Line" and today stand as the separating point between the two states. Beside the Walker Line, Dr. Walker's main object was to survey and sell tracks of land for the Loyal Land Company in Southwest Virginia as far north as Roanoke and in the Holston River areas. Realizing the forests of Southwest Virginia could be timbered for use in the east, the Loyal Land Company sold land to settlers cheaply, and bought the timber.
Structure- Exploring new frontiers
Infrastructure- Those who owned land
Superstructure- Christianity
Early Settlers
Once tracts of land were surveyed settlers began flocking to Southwest Virginia seeking cheap land and freedom from the confines of the eastern cities. They brought with them European ways, but they also adapted to a lifestyle different from those in larger towns and cities in the East. Men formed militias to fend off Indian attacks. Forts, like the one at Fort Blackmore in then Fincastle County, were built to provide protection when local Indians went on raids trying to chase away the settlers and capture their food stores. Itinerant ministers like John Emory moved with the settlers helping spread Methodism during the Second Great Awakening in the late 1700's and early 1800's
Structure- Settling new frontiers. Timbering, Surviving
Infrastructure- Those who owned land
Superstructure- Evangelical Christianity
Structure- Exploring new frontiers
Infrastructure- Those who owned land
Superstructure- Christianity
Early Settlers
Once tracts of land were surveyed settlers began flocking to Southwest Virginia seeking cheap land and freedom from the confines of the eastern cities. They brought with them European ways, but they also adapted to a lifestyle different from those in larger towns and cities in the East. Men formed militias to fend off Indian attacks. Forts, like the one at Fort Blackmore in then Fincastle County, were built to provide protection when local Indians went on raids trying to chase away the settlers and capture their food stores. Itinerant ministers like John Emory moved with the settlers helping spread Methodism during the Second Great Awakening in the late 1700's and early 1800's
Structure- Settling new frontiers. Timbering, Surviving
Infrastructure- Those who owned land
Superstructure- Evangelical Christianity
For More Information
Pre-Clovis
http://www.virginiaplaces.org/nativeamerican/woodlandindians.html
Spanish Exploration
http://sitemaker.umich.edu/berrysite/files/1997-southeastern_archaeology.pdf
(word search Pardo Expedition. Note: Hernado Moyano de Morales is referred to only as Hernando Moyano)
Thomas Walker Expedition
http://www2.vcdh.virginia.edu/lewisandclark/students/projects/adventurers/walkerbio.html
Settlers
https://dcms.lds.org/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE190404
http://www.danielboonetrail.com/historicalsites.php?id=85
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