[With John Fontaine and Lt. Gov. Spotswood, on a trip to Christanna.]
" April [14,] 1716. The second day . In the morning we set out with a guide for Christiana. For this house is the most outward settlement on this side of Virginia which is the south side. We have no roads here to conduct us, nor inhabitants to direct the traveller. There were several Indians that met us and about twelve we came to Meherrin River opposite to Christianna Fort. We see this day several fine tracts of land and plains called Savannas which lie along by the river side, much like unto our low meadow lands in England. There is neither tree nor shrub that grows upon those plains, nothing but good grass, which for want of being mowed or eat down by the cattle grows rank and coarse. Those places are not miry, but good and firm ground. Those plains are subject to inundation after great rains and when the rivers overflow, but there is seldom above 6 or 8 inches over them, which may be easily prevented by ditching it. In about half an hour after twelve we crossed the river in a canoe and went up to the fort which is built upon a rising ground. It is an inclosure of five sides, made only with palisades, and instead of five bastions, there are five houses which defend the one the other each side is about one hundred yards long. There are five cannon here, which fired to welcome the Governor. There are 12 men continually here to keep the place. After all the ceremony [was] over we came into the fort and we were well entertained. The day proving wet and windy, we remained within doors and we employed ourselves reading of Mr. Charles Griffiths his observations on the benefits of a solitary life. We reckon that we made this day 15 miles. In all from Williamsburg 80 miles.
" April [15,] 1716. The third day. Christanna Fort . About 9 in the morning we got up and breakfasted. Mr. Griffiths who is an Englishman, he is employed by the government to teach the Indian children and to bring them to Christianity. He remains in this place and teaches them to read the Bible and Common Prayers, as also to write, and the English tongue. He hath had good success amongst them. He hath now been a year amongst them. He told the Governor and the Indian Chiefs, or Great Men, as they style themselves, were coming to the Fort to compliment him. These Indians are called Saponey Indians, and are always at peace with the English. They consist of about 200 persons, men, women and children and live within musket shot of this fort and are protected by the English, and under covert of this fort from the insults of the other Indians, who are at difference with the English. Those Indians pay a tribute to the Governor every year to renew and confirm the peace and shew their submission. This nation hath no king at present, but are governed by twelve of their old men, which have power to act for the whole nation, and they will stand to every thing that those twelve men agree to, as their own act." [This day's account is to be continued.]
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.