CJ (#22) In The Countyr's Service

The Rappahannock County Court was a busy place.  Folks were trying to get things back in order after many years of upheaval following Bacon's rebellion and the Indian wars that continued.   On the 2nd day of April 1684 it was recorded:

"Col. Cadwalladr: Jones presented to this Court an Accompt for Soldiers pay amounting to fower thousand two hundred twenty eight pounds of tob: for wch &c.  It did appeare by the Oath of Col. Cadwalladr: Jones that David Meredith (MER-2) had a Horse died in the Countyr's Service about March 1683/4 as they were ranging for which &c."

Cadwallader certainly seemed to keep good records.  His accounts over the years were very detailed and inclusive.   This ranging was certainly part of his exploration adventures resulting in his map shown in the post "CJ (#19) Behind The Blue Ridge in 1682".   The Rappahannock Indians were involved in much of the courts activities during this time period, and must have had a key roll in Cadwallader's trading network.

CJ(#19) Behind the Blue Ridge in 1682

It becomes increasingly difficult to imagine that our Cadwallader (JO-1) could be involved in any additional exploits during the year 1682.  It was not until John Taliaferro(TA-4) testified in court many years later (yet to come) stating that he was with Cadwallader Jones(JO-1) in the summer of 1682 exploring the mountains and rivers toward what is now called The Blue Ridge.  It would appear that it was during this time [1682] that Cadwallader explored the headwaters of the Rapidan River leading to the discovery of what was to become the Shenandoah River.  The following figure is a scan of his map published in the early 1690s, but marks the geographic positions he claims to have visited.

The compass is drawn in the upper right showing "due north" to the right. [It was common during this time period to draw your maps facing west to the top of the page.]  The red lines are drawn along the latitudes which have been carefully scaled by Cadwallader (JO-1).  [39th - 36th degrees]  The blue outlines the Potomac River with the "Poto Falls" (Potomac Falls) marked in the lower right.  The orange color marks the locations that Cadwallader (JO-1) claims to have explored.  The "S. forke of Potomack" is drawn into what is now the Shenandoah Valley.  About equal distance between the 39th and 38th parallel Cadwallader (JO-1) places himself on the western side of the Blue Ridge. 

Much, much more will be presented from this map as the chronology evolves.  But for now, give it a view, and see for yourself what was behind the Blue Ridge in 1682..