1824 – Settlement and Indian Wars – Doddridge | First Edition – History of American Frontier

Notes on the Settlement and Indian Wars of the Western Parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania from 1763 to 1783 by Joseph Doddridge is a rare 19^th-century history of pioneer life in America with special attention given to the interactions and encounters pioneers had with Native American Indian tribes. Doddridge gives narrative records of early settlements, social customs of pioneers and native tribes, and even gives description of early farming methods, dress, and food on the frontier territories west of the Allegheny Mountains. It is, however, the descriptions of Indians that make this book so desirable. The author even describes pioneers building forts and defenses for their communities against hostile  tribes.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Notes on the Settlement and Indian Wars of the Western Parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania from 1763 to 1783
• Author(s): Joseph Doddridge
• Publisher: Wellsburgh, VA.: printed at the office of the Gazette
• Edition: 1824. First Edition.
• Binding: Hardcover, gilt and black stamped cloth
• Format: (12mo), single volume
• Size:  7 in x 4.25 in (17 cm x 12 cm)
• Collation: 316 p
• Contents Include:
  • Conditions of the Wilderness
  • Settlement Life and Habits
  • Weather and Animal Life
  • Accounts of Forts, Raids, and Defenses
  • Conflicts in Western Pennsylvania and Virginia
• Reference(s): Howes D 371; Sabin 20490; Field 437; Streeter Sale 1334; Evans 15990
  • Field: “Drawn from original sources, mostly of personal observations, or from actors in the Border Wars he depicts. No one except Withers has approached him in fidelity or exactness”
  • Sabin: “Interesting, authentic work, drawn from original sources”

Condition:

Good. Leather binding. Text block secure. Leather and hinges show signs of wear but have been restored. Pages show notable age toning throughout, but no loss of text.

Why Collect This?

• Important primary account of early western settlement
• Highly desirable and valuable first edition
• Sought for studies in frontier and Revolutionary era Americana

Item Number: #50275