long, with a mean width of 14 miles. The surface is very mountainous; several lofty ridges of the Alleghany chain pass through the county, and much of the scenery is wild. In the mountain valleys, and the low grounds of the streams, the land is very fertile. The New River, one of the main branches of the Kanawha, passes through and fertilizes a large tract in the county. Pop., whites 4,684, slaves 574, free colored 49; total, 5,307.

Parisburg, or Giles C. H., lies 238 miles southwesterly from Richmond, three-fourths of a mile from the bank of New River, just above where it passes through Peter's mountain. The situation of the town is picturesque, being at the extremity of a mountain called "Angel's Rest." It was laid off in 1806, and contains at present about 30 dwellings, mostly built of stone. Nine miles from Parisburg, on New River, are situated the Hygeian Springs, the waters of which are highly spoken of.

On the opposite bank of New River, both above and below the springs, the rocks present the most majestic appearance: there being several natural pillars that rise perpendicularly to the height of from thirty to two hundred feet, and natural arches; one pillar is denominated "Pompey's Pillar," near which is "Cæsar's Arch;" the pillar and arch nearly join.

The celebrated Salt Pond is five miles from these springs-sometimes known as the White Sulphur Springs of Giles-and ten miles E. of Parisburg. It is a natural and beautiful lake of pure fresh water, on the summit of the Salt Pond mountain, one of the highest spurs of the Alleghany. This pond is about a mile long and one-third of a mile wide. At its termination it is dammed by a huge pile of rocks, over which it runs: but which once passed through the fissures only. In the spring and summer of 1804, immense quantities of leaves and other rubbish washed in and filled up the fissures, since which it has risen full 25 feet. Previous to that time it was fed by a fine large spring at its head; that then disappeared, and several small springs now flow into it at its up. per end. When first known, it was the resort of vast numbers of elk, buffalo, deer, and other wild animals, for drink; hence its name of "salt pond." It has no taste of salt, and is inhabited by fine trout.

The above description of the Salt Pond is from the mss. for the 2d edition of Kercheval's History of the Valley of Virginia. From the same source we derive the annexed particulars of an Indian incursion into this region, and of the captivity of Mrs. Hall:

In the year 1774 the Indians commenced their outrages in the vicinity of Sinking Creek, on the New River, in Giles county. In July of this year John Lybrook, (now living, 1836,) with several other children, while at play near the stream were discovered by four Indians. One ahead of his party pursued young Lybrook, who escaped by jumping a gully twelve feet wide. The rest of the children sprang into a canoe and were followed by the Indians, who killed and scalped five of them. A sister of Lybrook, a girl of thirteen, jumped out of the canoe and ran, pursued by one of the Indians. Her life was saved by a remarkably fierce dog, who, attracted by her screams, jumped upon the savage and threw him down, hung and jerked violently upon him while the girl got out of danger. The Indian struck at him with his war club, and finally knocked him down; the dog then ran to the canoe and guarded the dead children until the people took them away for burial. The animal refused to follow them-immediately ran off, and soon raised a most piteous howl. This attracted some of the party to the spot, who found a little brother of Mr. Lybrook, aged about 6 years, with his scull severely fractured and his brains oozing out, and scalped. He lived about 24 hours and then expired.

Mrs. Margaret Hall, now living, when about 10 years old was taken prisoner by the Indians on New River and conveyed to their towns, with whom she remained 18 years,

until after Wayne's victory. The Shawnese, by whom she was taken, transferred her to the Delaware tribe, where she was adopted into the family of an Indian chief. The Indians were somewhat civilized. In this respect the Shawnese were superior to the Delawares. The Indians had a few cattle, and made butter, fritters, and pancakes. Shortly before Mrs. Hall returned home an Indian chief fell violently in love with her, and urged his suit, and upon her refusal to marry him threatened to kill her. Her foster-mother used her persuasions in his favor, and the young squaws presented their congratulations upon the offer. Annoyed by his solicitations she fled early one morning, on horseback, to a village about 70 miles distant, where her foster-sister and brother had removed. She arrived about sunset, and found her foster-brother absent. There she was pursued by the young warrior, who told her she must immediately consent to marry him or he would take her life. She refused, and he made a lunge at her with a long knife; at which her foster-sister threw herself between them and received a slight wound in the side, the point of the knife striking a rib. The Indian girl instantly seized the knife by the blade, wrenched it from him, broke it, and threw it away. A fight ensued, while the subject of it sat petrified with fear. Her sister bade her run and hide, as he would probably kill them both. The girl proved the conqueror, gave him a severe drubbing, and drove him from the field. Her foster-brother, on returning home from a hunting excursion, told her not to be uneasy, called him a dog, and threatened to kill him if he made any further attempts. The fellow never annoyed her again, and was subsequently killed at Wayne's victory. Mrs. Hall is now living in Giles county, about 4 miles from the Troy Sulphur Springs.

The following account of "the Lucas family," was written by a gentleman of Christiansburg, and published in the Richmond Compiler in the summer of 1842. It shows in this family a depth of depravity rarely equalled:

The scene of the lives and depredations of this notorious family is in Giles county, on Doe Creek, a small branch of New River which heads in the celebrated salt pond moun tain, and from its obscurity and loneliness, and the character of its inhabitants, has always been avoided by civilized man.

The father of Lucas is now about 93 years of age, and is, no doubt, a hoary-headed old villain, although he has, during a long life, been adroit enough to commit no crime of which the law could take cognizance. I will give one trait in the character of this old sinner, which will suffice to show what kind of man he is. On the recent trial of his son “ Dave,” when his life was in jeopardy, this old man, on being asked what was the character of his son David, responded that he believed "Dave would kill any man for twenty-five cents."

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The first in this family of blood-perhaps unparalleled in civil society-was the first son of "Old Ran," as he is universally called. (His name, perhaps, is Randolph ; but I presume he has never seen or heard of the baptismal fount.) Well, this first-born of "Old Ran," named "Jerry," as long ago as the late war, became criminally connected with a man's wife, who was in the service of his country as a military man at Norfolk. In a week after the man returned home. Jerry Lucas," at the earnest solicitation of the fiendish woman, under pretence of friendship, invited him home from muster with him. He was afterwards found murdered, behind a log, with about two hundred weight of stone upon his body. Lucas confessed that the evening they left the musterground he beat his victim over the head with a club until he supposed he was dead, and went to his house and stayed all night with his wife. To make assurance doubly sure, he returned in the morning to see if the man was dead. He found him sitting, leaning against a tree, and covered with gore. The poor fellow begged for his life, told Lucas to take his wife, and he would leave the country as soon as he was able, and would never say any thing about what he had done to him. The savage Lucas was in. exorable, murdered, and concealed him. For this murder he was hung at Giles Court House, in the fall of 1814. Old Ran, his father, sat under the gallows when he was hanging, and amused himself by eating gingerbread. Jerry's paramour escaped punishment for want of testimony.

"Dave," the second son of Old Ran," the most notorious of these villains, commenced his career of crime about 1820, at the age of 19, by stealing a horse, for which he was sentenced to the penitentiary for five years, during which time he escaped, in company with another convict, to his home, was retaken, and served out his time.

Not long after his return home, he robbed a small pedler of all his wares, for which he was again sentenced to the penitentiary for three years. At the time of his last conviction, a cousin of Dave's, a lad of sixteen or seventeen years of age, was convicted of some crime and also sent to the penitentiary for three years. They were discharged at the same time, and left the penitentiary together. The boy has never been heard of since; and Lucas, in some of his drunken frolics, boasted that as they came on home, he killed the boy and threw his body into the river. He told the boy's father, that when he ran his knife into him, he bawled like a calf. So it seems he murdered the boy for the wretched pittance given him on leaving the penitentiary to defray his expenses home. On the night Dave returned last from the penitentiary, a large stack-yard, and a barn full of grain, were burnt in his neighborhood, belonging to witnesses on behalf of the commonwealth in his several convictions, which he subsequently admitted were set on fire by him. Dave's next exploit was at a militia-muster, in September, 1841. In a quarrel and fight with his sister's son, he killed him with a blow. He was acquitted, on trial, owing to some extenuating circumstances. Since his recent confinement, he has admitted he ought to have been punished for this murder, as he had, at the time he struck the blow, a pound of lead concealed in his hand.

The next crime of which Dave is accused, is founded on the following strong circumstances: Some years ago, a man who had been on north with a drove of cattle, merely as a driver, was returning home through Dave's neighborhood, on foot. Shortly after he passed, Lucas was seen to follow him with a rifle, and in a few minutes a report of a gun was heard in that direction. Dave returned with blood on his clothes, and there was seen, on the same day, a large quantity of blood in the road. But, as the drover was an entire stranger, no investigation was had. Very recently a man's dog, in the vicinity, came to his master with a human skull in his mouth.

Dave's last crime, and for which the world has been freed from the monster, was the murder of John Poff, a poor laborer, who had been working at the Kanawha salt-works a few months, and who, with the proceeds of his labor in his wallet, was travelling alone, and on foot, to his family and home in Floyd county. Dave fell in with him late in the day, and invited him to go home with him, saying he could entertain him as well as any one. Poor Poff consented, and soon met his fate.

Dave killed him within 200 yards of his residence, and so obscure is the place, that he lay nearly a week above ground without discovery; and what was certainly a strange infatuation, apparently no pains or care was taken to conceal the foul deed. He was tried, and found guilty by the jury in 15 minutes from their retirement from the courtroom. There were 17 witnesses on the part of the commonwealth. The criminal had no witness, and refused to employ counsel. The court assigned him counsel, but his case was so plain and flagrant that the counsel submitted it to the jury without argument. He was sentenced, and hung, at Giles Court-House, Friday, June 24th, 1842. The wretched man died as he had lived, without any outward signs of compunction. He made no particular confession when under the gallows; on the contrary, swore when in this awful situation, in answer to something said by one of the attending clergy; and finally, while the sheriff was adjusting the rope around his neck, attempted to bite his ear. He met death with such a demoniac grin, that among the many thousands present not one tear of sorrow or sympathetic feeling was manifested.

The next on the list of this family of criminals is John Lucas, "Old Ran's" third son. He also has killed his man, and his full cousin too; for it seems they are like old Cain, their hands appear to be raised against their own kin. John and his cousin engaged in a fight, caused by the cousin tauntingly saying, "Your brother Dave is in the penitentiary," which so enraged John that he struck him a blow with his heavy rifle, with so much force as to cleave his skull to the very teeth, breaking stock and barrel off in the middle, and causing instant death. Dave being, in part, cause of this quarrel and its disastrous consequences to John, perhaps accounts for the recklessness of his behavior on hearing of Dave's final fate, and may have been strong in his mind when he made the observation," that it would have been to the credit of the family if Dave had been hung many years ago."

John was tried for his life; but as the murder occurred, on the part of the murdered man, under aggravating circumstances, John was sent to the penitentiary. He is a very good fac simile of the Lucas family. They are truly a savage-looking race. There are yet two brothers, younger than those already mentioned, who have not yet rendered themselves so conspicuous in the annals of crime. What their fate will be time only can tell. They promise fair to be genuine chips of the old block, and although young, are already the terror of the neighborhood. "Old Ran" has also daughters, for these

ill weeds are very prolific; but they are worse than the sons-save the mark-and thereby hangs a tale. But it is a tale not meet to be told among Christians, and we pass it

over.

GLOUCESTER.

GLOUCESTER was formed in 1642, from York. It lies on Chesapeake Bay, and on the N. side of York River. Much barley was formerly raised in the county; but, from some unknown cause, the lands have ceased to be adapted for its cultivation. Indian corn is the principal product. Pop., whites 4,412, slaves 5,791, free colored 612; total 10,715.

Gloucester, the county-seat, lies immediately opposite Yorktown, on the N. side of York River. It is a small, decayed village, containing only a few dwellings. During the siege of York, it was one of the outposts of Cornwallis, and the scene of some minor military operations. There exist remains of redoubts thrown up at that time. The earliest settlers in the co. were from Gloucestershire in England-who not only transferred the names of places, but the streams also; hence they have here their Severn, and other rivers, and local denominations.

Rosewell, the seat of John Page, Esq., governor of Va. in 1802, is on the York, nearly opposite the mouth of Queen's creek. It is perhaps the noblest old mansion in the state, and is a most venerable relic of antiquity. It is a cube of 90 feet, is four stories high, and its appearance strikingly massive. The roof is flat, and leaded. "It has been said that Mr. Jefferson and Gov. Page, in the summer evenings, sometimes enjoyed conversation and the moonlight scene there. From the top of Rosewell house, the view stretches nearly ten miles up and down the river York, which is there about three miles wide a superb and lovely sheet of water, as bright, as pure, and as sparkling blue as the waters of the ocean. Before the house spreads a fair lawn-around the house are a few trees: this enhances its simple grandeur, standing, as it were, in the dignified solitude of some antique castle." Gov. Page was distinguished for his talents and patriotism, and fulfilled his numerous trusts, as governor of the state, representative in Congress, &c., with honor. He died at Richmond, Oct. 11th, 1808, in the 65th year of his age.

Gloucester has connected with its early history some most interesting facts. Nathaniel Bacon, the leader of what has been denominated" Bacon's Rebellion," died and was buried in this county. The spot is not known, inasmuch as, in the language of a writer (T. M.) of that day, his body "was so made away as his bones were never found, to be exposed on a gibbet as was purposedstones being laid on his coffin-supposed to be done by Laurence." In a late number of the Southern Literary Messenger, Charles 36

Campbell, Esq., of Petersburg, has an article conclusively proving that it was in this county that Pocahontas rescued Capt. Smith. Beneath is an extract from his communication touching this point:

Next to Jamestown, Werowocomoco is perhaps the spot most celebrated in the early chronicles of Virginia. As Jamestown was the seat of the English settlers, so Werowocomoco was the residence of the great Indian chief, Powhatan. It was the scene of many interviews and rencontres between the settlers and the savages. It was at Werowocomoco that supplies for the colony were frequently obtained; here that Smith once saw suspended on a line between two trees, the scalps of 24 Payanketanks, recently slain; here that Powhatan was crowned by Newport; and here that occurred the most touching scene in the whole colonial drama-the rescue of Smith by Pocahontas. We. rowocomoco is on the York River, in the county of Gloucester. It may surprise some readers to hear, that the rescue of Smith took place on the York, since, in the general neglect of our early history, it seems to have been taken for granted by many that it took place on James River. Smith and Stith, in their histories, put the matter beyond dispute. Smith, Book II., p. 117, describes the Pamaunkee [now York] River, as follows:

"Fourteen myles northward from the river Powhatan is the river Pamaunkee, which is navigable 60 or 70 myles, but with catches and small barkes 30 or 40 myles farther. At the ordinary flowing of the salt water, it divideth itselfe into two gallant branches. On the south side inhabit the people of Youghtanund, who have about 60 men for warres. On the north branch Mattapanient, who have 30 men. Where this river is divided, the country is called Pamaunkee, [now West Point,] and nourisheth neare 300 able men. About 25 myles lower, on the north side of this river, is Werowocomoco, where their great king inhabited when I was delivered him prisoner."

Again, Book II., p. 142, Smith says:

"At Werowocomoco, on the north side of the river Pamaunkee, [York,] was his [Powhatan's] residence when I was delivered him prisoner, some 14 myles from James Towne where, for the most part, he was resident."

Stith, as quoted by Burk's History of Virginia, Vol. I., p. 111, describes its position as follows:

"Werowocomoco lay on the north side of York river, in Gloucester county, nearly opposite to the mouth of Queen's creek, and about 25 miles below the fork of the river."

Upon a short visit made to that part of Gloucester county a year or two ago, I was satisfied that Shelly, the seat of Mrs. Mann Page, is the famous Werowocomoco. Shelly is on the north bank of the York River, in the county of Gloucester, said to be about 25 miles from West Point at the head of the river, and nearly opposite the mouth of Queen's creek, lying somewhat above. It is true the word " nearly" is indefinite, and it might be supposed that Werowocomoco, perhaps, lay a little below the point opposite the mouth of Queen's creek instead of a little above. But the marshy, oozy character of the bank of the York below Shelly, rendering it apparently uninhabitable, seems to forbid the supposition. Werowocomoco, then, it may be taken for granted, was either at Shelly, or at some point above Shelly. But as Shelly is nearly opposite the mouth of Queen's creek, it is obvious that the further you proceed up the river, the less appropriate will become the expression "nearly opposite."

Now,

Carter's creek, emptying into the York at Shelly, forms a safe harbor for canoes. Smith, in a passage already quoted, mentions that Werowocomoco is 14 miles from Jamestown. In Book III., p. 194, he says, that "he went over land to Werowocomoco some 12 miles; there he passed the river of Pamaunkee in a salvage canow." as it was 14 miles from Jamestown to Werowocomoco, and 12 to the point on the south bank of the York where Smith embarked in a canoe, it follows that Werowocomoco was only two miles from that point; and Shelly, I take it, is just about two miles from where it is probable Smith went into the canoe on that occasion.

Shelly adjoins Rosewell, (formerly the seat of John Page, Esq., sometime governor of Virginia,) and was originally part of the Rosewell plantation; and I learned from Mrs. Page, of Shelly, that Gov. Page always held Shelly to be the ancient Werowocomoco, and accordingly he, at first, gave it that name, but afterwards, on account of the inconvenient length of the word, dropped it, and adopted the title of Shelly, on account of the extraordinary accumulation of shells found there. The enormous beds of oystershells deposited there, particularly just in front of the Shelly-house, indicate it to have been a place of great resort among the natives. The situation is highly picturesque and beautiful; and looking, as it does, on the lovely and majestic York, it would seem, all others, to have been the befitting residence of the lordly Powhatan.

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