The Collected Works of Benjamin Hawkins, 1796–1810

A Viatory or Journal of Distances and Observations

A VIATORY OR JOURNAL OF DISTANCES AND OBSERVATIONS Benjamin Hawkins The following is a transcription of the journal entitled ''A Viatory or Journal of Distances and Observations by Col. Hawkins" in possession ofthe Library of Congress. A Viatory. 6 dec.er 1797 Left Cussetuh for the Oconee, Fort Wilkinson noting the distance in minutes 60 to 3 mile. + for crossing b. branch c creek 1. r. left or right, the course they run. 2/ the width in feet 3.40 +. c.l. 25/ No,chil,lehatche The lands poor broken pine, the range for stock very poor. within a mile ofthe c. + b. r waving oaky woods some reeds in patches pretty good. we encamp to the left of our path in the fork of2 reedy bottoms, the ridge at the path has some coarse iron ore looking stone. 7 dec.er 50 + b.l. 2/ reeds and evergreens 6 + b. I 1/ reeds to the r. pretty good 6 + b.l. 1/. 7 + b.l. 1/. There is between these two branches a small flat of poor pine barren called in creek Ecun,hut,coo,chee1 15. over poor broken land a large creek just under our left and reeds on r. 8 +. c. 1. 8/. Hoc,[H]ilo,la,ho,lo,che The lands poor. 2j VIATORY 23 + c. 1. 30/. a fall of2/ to the 1. there is no appearance of a water course on its borders no swamp, on the left margin the lands flat and poor, on the right high broken land. Yoc,pee. 28. over high stiffpine forest, pass a vale of reeds on the r. 38 a path to the right 3 the head of a small reedy bottom to be seen S. eastwardly to a considerable extent, and have fine affect viewed thro the pines. 50. reedy bottom 1. 7. reeds to the r. .6. black gum, large, spreading top with switch like limbs. reed to 1. In a cove. 8. +. b. 1. 3/. reeds on the sides ofthe hills The lands broken, and pineland rise up the hill, the stone black and appears to have iron ore Our distance 3.2. or nine mile The course N.20E. The moun tains are to Our right, parallel to our path, and within a mile of us. The road level, the streams have good water and the lands fit for culture, the growth post oak, and Hickory, all small. 57. cross Ska,le,co a creek 45 feet wide running to our left. 52. up the side of a creek on our right cross a fine running branch 32 cross an other. 36. join a path to our left 20. a Limestone spring on our right 1.40. cross a creek running to our left. Our distance 4.55 or 15 mile, our cours N.I0 E. We pass over some Limestone dwarf post oak land, and the whole rout generally poor The road fine and level. 2/ cross a creek to the left 10 feet wide 2. cross a creek to the left 20 feet 2.20 cross a branch running to our right from a fine spring on our left. 1.12. cross a small creek to our right 33. the paths divide we take the right BENJAMIN HAWKINS 3j 1.12. cross Tellico 180 feet wide. D.45 arrive at Tuskeegee Our cours N. 30. E. The distance 6.30 or 291 / 2mile. The road is good the land poor, limestone, postoak. November 12 1798 I left Etow,woh this day for the Hill,au,bee There is a considerable change in the condition ofthe Cherokees ofthis town for the better since I visited on my first entering on the duties of my agency. All persons old and young appear to be happy Their little farms increased, vegetables to be had in plenty, I see bacon, colewarts, and turnips, at several houses, I met a sincere welcome , and The Children are no longer afraid of a white man they visit me the smallest ofthem when invited to do so with ease and gladness. They have increased their stock ofhogs and cattle. appear well clothed and industrious. X 1.10 arrive at John Vanns and pass the [warring?] his aged mother M.rs Roe, visited me, and informed me she had a side ofbacon and some vegetables for me, for the path. She said X 40+.c.r. dry...